Indian ex-PM Manmohan Singh to ‘attend Kartarpur corridor opening ceremony’

Indian Punjab CM also invites President Ram Nath, PM Modi to attend historic celebrations, according to Indian media

Former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh will attend the inauguration ceremony of historic Kartarpur corridor, India Today reported while quoting Indian Punjab chief minister as saying on Thursday.

However, other media outlets are conflicting the ex-premier's visit to the opening reception which is  scheduled to be held on the 550^th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Sahib in November.

PHOTO: REUTERS

According to NDTV, Manmohan Singh will only visit the Kartarpur shrine to attend the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanakn not the inauguration ceremony which is expected on November 11, two days after the anniversary celebrations.

The development comes days after Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said Pakistan decided to invite Manmohan Singh after consultations with all stakeholders.

According to Indian Today, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has invited President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former premier Manmohan Singh to join the Jatha (all-party group)  that would attend the historic event in Pakistan.

The chief minister also told reporters that the president and prime minister have accepted the state government's invitation to be a part of the historic celebrations.

Earlier in the day, addressing a press conference in Multan, the foreign minister said that Pakistan would welcome the ex-Indian premier if he attends the event and reiterated to fulfil the country's commitment to open the Kartarpur corridor.

Happy to meet former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ji at his residence today. Have invited him to join us on the 1st Jatha to Sri Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara & attend the main event at Sultanpur Lodhi to mark Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's #550thPrakashPurab. pic.twitter.com/CZw5bbeUDj

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 3, 2019

Amarinder Singh met President Kovind, PM Modi and Manmohan Singh separately in Delhi to extend invitations to the three leaders.

Met President Ram Nath Kovind ji and invited him to grace the celebrations at Sultanpur Lodhi on the occasion of #550PrakashPurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. @PunjabGovtIndia is making all necessary arrangements to observe this historic occasion in a befitting manner. @rashtrapatibhvn pic.twitter.com/FoQRGMG7t1

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 3, 2019

Met PM Shri @narendramodi & apprised him of the State Government’s preparations for the grand celebrations at Sultanpur Lodhi & Dera Baba Nanak on the occasion of #550PrakashPurab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Invited him to visit Punjab for the celebrations and preside over same. pic.twitter.com/3nFAap9OOo

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 3, 2019

The Kartarpur corridor, which connects Pakistan’s Narowal city to India’s Gurdaspur district, will be the first visa-free route between the two neighbouring countries.