The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has invited both Sports Minister Jitendra Singh and the suspended Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to discuss and agree on a roadmap that would lift the suspension on India.
Pere Miro, National Olympic Committee's (NOC) relations director of IOC, in a letter invited suspended IOA's acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra for a meeting at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne May 7.
"It is very surprising that you request our guidance as to what action you should take since we have made it clear since January this year that the only way to find a solution is for all parties to meet, discuss and agree on a roadmap," Miro said in the letter Saturday.
"For that purpose we invited you to a meeting in Lausanne and proposed concrete dates. However, you did not reply to our invitation...Now we hereby call for a meeting to be held on May 7, 2013 in Lausanne," he added.
The IOC asked the IOA to send a list of delegates, who will be attending the meeting.
"You or the competent bodies of the suspended IOA are requested to confirm your attendance as well as the names and functions of the persons who will form the delegation of the suspended IOA by April 16 at the latest.
"We will also extend an official invitation to Sports Minister Mr. Jitendra Singh. The purpose of this meeting will be the same as mentioned in our letter of March 1 2013. We thank you for your attention and cooperation in this very serious matter," Miro added.
Malhotra had told IANS that IOA officials would "first like to meet union Sports Minister Jitendra Singh and discuss some of the contentious issues on which there needs to be clarification from the ministry before meeting the IOC".
"I believe the IOC wants to meet the IOA officials either May 6 or 7 but I am yet to see the letter from them," said Malhotra.
The much awaited meeting has been put off twice. The IOC suspended the IOA in December last year over its election process.
The IOC wants to discuss a roadmap for the IOA to host fresh elections so that the suspension can be lifted.
The IOC only recognises the IOA, which is headed by Malhotra and secretary-general Randhir Singh. Malhotra lost the last elections to Abhay Singh Chautala in December.