India is in touch with authorities in Pakistan regarding safety of over 800 Indian pilgrims whose visit to the neighbouring country has been affected by violent protests in several cities, including Lahore.
"Closely tracking developments. In touch with Pakistani authorities and Sikh Jatha. Will do utmost to ensure security and safe return of pilgrims," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.
The minister's response came after President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management committee Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in a tweet, requested Mr Jaishankar to look into the matter of stranded Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan.
Over 800 Indian Sikhs travelled to Pakistan to attend the Baisakhi festival. The Indian pilgrims had reached Lahore via Wagah border on Monday to attend the festival.
On Tuesday afternoon, the visiting Indian Sikhs left for Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassanabdal in 25 buses which were escorted by the police and the Pakistani Rangers.
"Owing to the TLP protest that blocked roads, the Sikh yatrees reached Hassanabdal at 4 am on Wednesday after over 14 hours of journey which otherwise is covered in three hours," an official of the Punjab government told PTI in Lahore.
Protests are taking place in several part of Pakistan by supporters of Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) demanding the expulsion of the French envoy over the publication of blasphemous caricatures in France.
The Indian pilgrims attended the main event on Wednesday in which several local Sikhs also participated.
The visiting pilgrims are scheduled to visit other holy places in the Punjab province of Pakistan during their 10-day stay in the country.
'Don't Confuse India's Independence With Neutrality': S Jaishankar "Rohit Sharma Forgets Where His Bat Is...": Pakistan Star Trolls India Captain, Name Drops 'Babar Azam' Pakistan Star's 'Visa' Jibe After ICC Champions Trophy Compromise: "BCCI Will Have Issue..." 4-Year-Old Boy Run Over By Speeding Creta In Mumbai, Teen Driver Arrested BJP Leader Who Lost To Priyanka Gandhi Challenges Election, Congress Reacts Judge Tells Story Of 2 Lawyers, One Became President, Other Chief Justice BJP Leader Who Lost To Priyanka Gandhi Challenges Election, Congress Reacts "Frontal Attack On Constitution": Congress Chief Slams Poll Rules Tweak 4 Dead As Ambulance Helicopter Crashes Into Hospital Building In Turkey Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.