Visit of Pakistani pilgrims to India delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions: Pakistan Hindu lawmaker
The Hindu
“The visit has been delayed as India needs time to make arrangements due to COVID-19 situation but it has not been cancelled,” he said
A prominent Hindu lawmaker from Pakistan’s ruling party has announced a delay in the visit of a delegation to India under his faith tourism initiative since New Delhi needs time to make arrangements for visitors due to COVID-19 restrictions, hours after India said it has a “positive approach” on the matter and is willing to engage with Islamabad on it.
India on January 28 said there is an interest on both the Indian and Pakistani sides to expand the agreed list of shrines and mode of travel under the 1974 protocol for visits to religious places, asserting that it has a positive approach on the matter and is willing to engage with Islamabad on it.
“Let me underline that India has a positive approach on this matter and is willing to engage the Pakistani side. You are also aware that currently restrictions are in place on movement and gatherings in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation normalises, we expect that this time can be utilised to hold discussions under the bilateral Protocol,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.