Pakistan to allow return of its envoy to Delhi, Kartarpur talks on
New Delhi/Islamabad, Mar 5 (UNI) In what is seen as a climb down by Imran Khan regime and diplomatic process of de-escalation, Pakistan on Tuesday announced that the Kartarpur talks as slated will take place on March 14 and also that its envoy to New Delhi - Sohail Mahmood - who was recalled, will return to resume his assignments.
"Pakistan's High Commissioner to India (Sohail Mahmood) will be returning New Delhi after completion of consultation in Islamabad," a statement from the Pakistan Foreign Office said in Islamabad.
In fact, India's acting High Commissioner to Pakistan Gaurav Ahluwalia was called or invited to the Pak Foreign Ministry by its Director General South Asia and SAARC Mohammad Faisal and Islamabad's decision was conveyed on Tuesday.
It has also been conveyed that the Pakistani delegation will visit New Delhi on March 14 for the talks on draft paper for an agreement on Kartarpur Corridor.
Pakistan foreign office also said that it stands 'committed' to continue with the weekly contact at the levels of DGMOs.
Last week amid height of tension between India and Pakistan, the Indian government had made it clear that the proposed meeting on Kartarpur corridor between officials from Foreign Ministries in both countries was "not cancelled".
They (Pakistanis) are welcome if they come - as per old schedule - has been the refrain taken by one Indian official.
As part of the earlier understanding, an Indian delegation is likely to visit Pakistan on March 28 for discussions on matters pertaining to Kartarpur corridor.
On February 18 - four days after Pulwama terror strike by Pakistan-based JeM - its envoy in Delhi Sohail Mahmood had left India for 'consultation' by his government.
Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria was called by Indian government for consultationon February 15.
Tension escalated between the two nations after Pakistan based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohamed claimed responsibility for attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama which claimed lives of more than 40 CRPF personnel.
Retaliating to the incident, India carried out a pre-emptive air-strikes at terror camps in Balakot in Pakistan killing an unspecified number of Jaish militants.
President Ram Nath Kovind - the country's Supreme Commander of armed forces - on Monday gave away a strong message to Pakistan that if "need arises", India will use all "our might" to protect nation's sovereignty.
"India remains firmly committed to peace, but in case the need arises, we will use all our might to protect the nation’s sovereignty. I am confident that our valiant men and women in uniform will rise to the occasion," the President said at an Air Force function in Tamil Nadu.
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