Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Sunday welcomed India’s decision to send its two ministers to attend the ground-breaking of Kartarpur Corridor, terming it a “positive response to Pakistan’s move”.
The Foreign Minister said India has responded well to Pakistan's initiative in its bid to bring the Sikh community closer.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in reply to Foreign Minister Qureshi's letter has confirmed sending two ministers namely Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri to attend the Kartarpur event scheduled for Wednesday.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan has won the hearts of millions of Sikhs with a single but significant step.
He expressed confidence that the Kartarpur Corridor would attract members of the Sikh community to Pakistan from across the globe including the United States and the United Kingdom.
He said the Sikh community will be greeted here amid sentiments of love and would take back positive image about Pakistan and its people.
Earlier, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria received Foreign Minister Qureshi at the stall.
The Foreign Minister also paid a visit to various stalls set up by other countries including China, Turkey, Japan and Central Asian states.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Saturday invited the Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to attend the revolutionary ceremony.
On behalf of Pakistan I have extended an invitation to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj @SushmaSwaraj ,Capt Amarinder Singh @capt_amarinder & Navjot Singh Sidhu @sherryontopp to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at #Kartarpura on 28 Nov, 2018.#PakistanKartarpuraSpirit
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) November 24, 2018
However, Sushma Swaraj said that she had ‘prior commitments’ which would make it impossible for her to attend the event. She thanked Shah Mehmood Qureshi for his invitation and further said that, in her absence, the Government of India would be represented by Harsimrat Kaur Badal and H. S. Puri.
I thank HE Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Foreign Minister of Pakistan for inviting me to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor on the Pakistan side of the International boundary on 28 November 2018. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 24, 2018
Since I am unable to travel to Kartarpur Sahib on the scheduled date, Government of India will be represented by my esteemed colleagues Mrs.Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Mr.H.S.Puri. /2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 24, 2018
