India Protests Against Denial Of Consular Access To Pilgrims

Officials not allowed to meet them at Nankana Sahib in Pak.

- Suhasini Haidar Kallol Bhattacherjee

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan on Friday after an Indian consular team was prevented from meeting pilgrims visiting Nankana Sahib, where a Sikh festival is now being celebrated.

Sources said Deepak Mittal, Joint Secretary in charge of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division of the MEA, raised the issue at a meeting with Syed Haider Shah.

The Indian side expressed disappointment that the consular team could not meet the pilgrims, despite prior permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Pakistan.

A team of local Sikhs, led by their pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Chawla, prevented the Indian officials from entering the holy sites.