In a remarkable development for India-Pakistan’s diplomatic relations, the nations have renewed their Kartarpur Corridor agreement for the next 5 years. The good news came days after the visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to the SCO meeting in Islamabad. At Islamabad, Jaishankar met Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
The Kartarpur Corridor pact was set to expire on 24 October. Nevertheless, this diplomatic decision affirms the smooth operation of the corridor, permitting Indian pilgrims to visit the holy Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.
However, the issue of Islamabad levying fee of $20 per pilgrim, per visit remains unresolved.
Official Declaration on Kartarpur Corridor
The original document was signed on October 24, 2019. The agreement facilitated visa-free access for Indian pilgrims to pay their visit to the historic gurdwara. On October 22, 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs released a statement stating the extension of the pact for another 5 years.
The official statement reads, “It has been agreed between India and Pakistan through diplomatic channels to extend the validity of the agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for a further period of five years… The agreement, signed on October 24, 2019, to facilitate the visit of pilgrims from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal, Pakistan through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, was valid for a period of five years.”
India Requests Pakistan to Waive Service Charge
Alongside the continuation of the Kartarpur corridor agreement, India reiterated its appeal to Pakistan administration to waive the USD 20 service charge imposed on pilgrims. Over the years, devotees and Sikh organizations have advocated for the removal of the fee. The demand underlines that spiritual journeys should not carry financial burdens.
Despite the recurring requests from the Indian side, Pakistan continued to charge pilgrims. The latest diplomat outreach once again urges Pakistan to think about the devotees’ emotions and remove the charge. The demand is in relation to ensuring an accessible and uninterrupted experience for all pilgrims.
An Insight to Kartarpur Corridor
Often referred to as Kartarpur Sahib or Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur holds a deep religious position among the Sikh Community. The sense of attachment arises from the fact that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, preached at Kartarpur Sahib during his last eighteen years of life. During the 1947 India-Pakistan partition, Kartarpur Sahib ended on the Pakistani side of the International Border. Since over 95% of the Sikh Community resides in India, pilgrims across the nation demanded a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib.
Following the demands, the Indian-Pakistan ministry made an agreement of 5-year tenure on October 24, 2019. The pact agreed to maintain the seamless visit of Indian pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.
As per the figures presented by the ministry in Parliament in mid-2022, over 110,670 Indian nationals and holders of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards used the Kartarpur Corridor, since 2019.
The holy shrine holds an immense importance to Indian pilgrims. And the recent continuation unveils the Kartarpur Corridor’s success. It also gives a sense of relief to the diplomatic relations of India and Pakistan.
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Naina Jaggi is an author deeply rooted in Journalism, mainly writing on lifestyle, entertainment, travel, politics and financial markets. This diverse experience has allowed her to blend rich details with engaging narratives that capture the essence of various worlds. When she is not crafting tales, you’ll find her immersed in music and enjoying the company of dogs. She is also into K-dramas, thriller and horror movies that fuel her imagination, bringing the same spark to her stories.
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