Kartarpur Hall is the ultimate resting place of Sikh religion’s founder Guru Nanak Dev (File)
New Delhi:
India on Saturday stated a call to re-open the Kartarpur hall could be taken in accordance with the protocols relating COVID-19 and easing of restrictions.
The feedback by spokesperson within the Ministry of Exterior Affairs Anurag Srivastava got here within the wake of Pakistan’s proposal to reopen the hall which was shut in March in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
In November final yr, the 2 nations threw open the hall linking Dera Baba Sahib in Gurdaspur in India and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, in a historic people-to-people initiative.
“As you’re conscious, motion was suspended within the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. We stay in contact with all involved authorities together with ministries of residence affairs and well being and household welfare,” Mr Srivastava stated, responding to a media question on the problem.
“A call on re-opening of the hall could be taken in accordance with the COVID-19 protocols and easing of restrictions,” he stated.
Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is positioned in Pakistan’s Narowal district throughout the river Ravi, about 4 kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine.
It’s the remaining resting place of Sikh religion’s founder Guru Nanak Dev, who had spent the final 18 years of his life in Kartarpur.
In his feedback, Mr Srivastava additionally stated that Pakistan is but to assemble a bridge at Budhi Ravi channel as promised final yr.
“On the time of opening of the Kartarpur hall final yr and within the bilateral settlement signed in October 2019, it was determined that either side shall set up requisite infrastructure together with development of a bridge at Budhi Ravi channel on the earliest for secure and hassle-free motion of pilgrims,” he stated.
“One yr therefore, Pakistan is but to assemble the bridge whereas it’s prepared at our finish. A technical assembly with Pakistan was additionally facilitated and two groups met on August 27. There’s, nonetheless, no progress on a part of Pakistan,” the MEA spokesperson stated.
The Kartarpur hall was thrown open within the midst of heightened pressure between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir concern.
The relations between the 2 nations nosedived after India scrapped Jammu and Kashmir’s particular standing on August 5, 2019 and bifurcated it into two union territories.
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