India relents a bit as T20 row with Pakistan builds

New Delhi: After India refused permission to five Pakistani diplomats — who either had ISI links or were defence attaches — to travel to Kolkata for the India-Pakistan T-20 cricket match to be played this Saturday, the Pakistan foreign ministry summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner in Islamabad on Wednesday and issued a demarche “over denying permission to Delhi-based Pakistan diplomats to travel to Kolkata”, even as New Delhi appeared to partially relent and struck a conciliatory note.

While arguing that it had not been informed by Pakistan of the itinerary for the proposed travel, which was required by “bilateral practice”, India appeared to relent a little, adding that “considering the occasion”, 19 approvals for travel for Pakistani diplomats have been issued as a special gesture.

Read: India vs Pakistan T20: No entry for five Pak envoys to Eden Gardens match

While sources made it clear that no Pakistani diplomat with ISI links would be given permission to travel to Kolkata for India-Pakistan match, there are indications, however, that any of the Pakistani defence attaches refused permission could now be allowed to travel to Kolkata.

Sources said travel to Kolkata of any of the defence attaches who applied for permission was “under process”, indicating a partial re-think by India.

Pakistan itinerary not known, says Delhi

Pakistani sources maintained that some of the Pakistani diplomats who wanted to travel to Kolkata for Pakistan’s match against Bangladesh on Wednesday could not do so because of lack of permission, adding that uncertainty over receiving permission from Indian authorities in time was affecting the travel and accommodation-booking plans of Pakistani diplomats who wished to travel to Kolkata.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Islamabad said, “The Indian deputy high commissioner, Mr J.P. Singh, was called in by the ministry of foreign affairs in Islamabad on Wednesday and a demarche was made over denying permission to Delhi-based Pakistan diplomats to travel to Kolkata to witness cricket matches being played by the Pakistan team on Wednesday and on March 19.”

But the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi said, “Pakistan has not informed the government of the itinerary for the proposed travels, as required by bilateral practice. This was despite repeated reminders over the past few days. However, considering the occasion, 19 approvals were issued as a gesture.

“This has been conveyed to the Pakistan ministry of foreign affairs at senior levels. We have urged that agreed requirements are met so that the rest of the requests can be processed.”

Pakistani sources were cited in news agency reports from Islamabad as saying that Pakistan foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry raised the issue with his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, in Pokhra in Nepal on Wednesday.