India defers Kartarpur talks after Pak appointed controversial elements to panel: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday clarified that India had postponed the second round of talks on Kartarpur corridor after reports surfaced about the appointment of controversial elements by Pakistan in a committee associated with the corridor. During the weekly briefing, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated that India remains committed to realising the wishes and aspirations of people to visit the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahab.

"We also shared our concerns about controversial elements being appointed by Pakistan to a committee which was to be associated with Kartarpur corridor. The response is awaited and so meeting is postponed. We have offered to hold technical discussions to discuss other aspects. The response is awaited. We had postponed the second round of talks. It is important to remember that we remain committed to realising the wishes and aspirations of people. The aspirations that flow out of a pending demand of Indian pilgrims to visit the holy Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahab using the corridor in a safe and easy manner," Raveesh Kumar said.

He further stated that India has sought certain clarifications from Pakistan on several issues including the number of pilgrims that can visit daily, issues of visas etc, which he said remained unaddressed by the other side. Meanwhile, in response to a query regarding the statement by experts under OCHR on Rohingyas, Raveesh Kumar said that interpretation made of the facts of the case, as portrayed in the statement, are misleading and incorrect.

He said that the repatriation of illegal immigrants to their country of origin is in accordance with Indian laws. "We have seen the statement to which you refer. The interpretation made of the facts of the case, as portrayed in the statement, is misleading and incorrect. The repatriation of illegal immigrants to their country of origin is in accordance with Indian laws. These actions are being taken in response to the instructions of India's Courts, which have required Government at the State and Union levels to detect, detain and deport illegal immigrants. In this sense, Government will continue to take actions as may be necessary for the implementation of Indian laws, and as directed by our Judiciary," the MEA spokesperson said.

In response to a question about the US sanction on the import of Iranian oil, Raveesh Kumar said that India is engaging with the US since the announcement of the first waiver. "We are engaging with the US since the announcement of the first waiver. The waiver lapses on May 4. We will continue our engagement to see if we are taking care of energy security. Engagement is continuing with the US," he added.

Upon being questioned about Masood Azhar's listing as 'global terrorist' under United Nations Security Council, Raveesh Kumar said: "We are continuing diplomatic efforts to ensure that terrorists who are involved in heinous attack to citizens are brought to justice." In response to a query on extradition of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, the MEA spokesperson said the case is now in Westminster Court and the judge has also decided to not give bail to Nirav Modi. "We are making a lot of effort on him to extradite him. The judge has listed the case for after 30th," he said. 

(With inputs from agencies.)