Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday waived two requirements for pilgrimage in the Kartarpur corridor but there is discomfort in India over his specific choice of Sikhs for the overture.

This was articulated by Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, who welcomed the announcement but urged Imran to extend the waiver to all Indians using the corridor.

Imran had early this morning tweeted: “For Sikhs coming for pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived off 2 requirements: i) they wont need a passport — just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on day of inauguration & on Guruji’s 550th birthday.”

While there was no response to this from the Indian foreign ministry, Amarinder tweeted back: “Happy & grateful for waiver of passport & advance registration conditions for Sikh pilgrims by @ImranKhanPTI govt, but would urge Pakistan to apply this not just to Sikhs but all citizens of secular India. Also urge Pak PM to waive off $20 fee on all days instead of just two.”

From the beginning of the negotiations on the modalities for the Kartarpur corridor pilgrimage, New Delhi has maintained that it should be open for all Indians, pointing out that India is a secular country. Imran’s Sikh-specific waiver reverses that, as pointed out by Amarinder in his tweet.

As for the fee waiver, India had requested Pakistan to reconsider charging it, stating that it goes against the spirit of a pilgrimage.

Islamabad contends that it is an international norm.