In a significant development for the Sikh community, India and Pakistan have jointly announced that the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement will be extended for another five years. This agreement, originally signed on October 24, 2019, allows Indian pilgrims to visit the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Narowal, Pakistan, without facing the usual travel restrictions.
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor holds great religious importance for Sikhs as it connects Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to the Derababa Nanak Temple in Punjab, India. Opened in November 2019, this corridor has been a symbol of peace and cooperation between the two neighboring countries, despite their often strained diplomatic relations.
A 5-Year Extension Ensuring Smooth Pilgrimage
The agreement extension, announced on Tuesday, ensures that the corridor will remain open for the next five years, allowing pilgrims to continue visiting the holy shrine with ease. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated, “Extending the validity of this agreement will ensure that pilgrims from India visit the holy Gurdwara in Pakistan without any difficulty.”
The extension comes as a relief to thousands of Sikh pilgrims who have expressed their desire to keep visiting the sacred site. The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has not only facilitated religious journeys but has also fostered a sense of cultural and spiritual unity between the two nations.
Requests for Waiver of Service Fees
In addition to the agreement extension, India has reiterated its request for Pakistan to waive the USD 20 service fee currently charged to pilgrims for each visit. “In view of pilgrims’ continuous requests for removal of USD 20 service charge per visit by Pakistan, India has once again requested Pakistan not to levy any fees or charges from pilgrims,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated.
This issue of service charges has been raised multiple times, as many pilgrims feel the fee places an unnecessary financial burden on their spiritual journey. The resolution of this request could further ease travel for the Sikh community, enabling more individuals to access the holy site.
Government Support for the Sikh Community
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce the extension. He tweeted, “India, Pakistan renew agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for the next five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government will continue to facilitate our Sikh community’s visit to their holy places.”
This continued commitment from the Indian government highlights the importance of the Kartarpur Corridor for India’s Sikh population. The corridor provides an opportunity for the Sikh diaspora to visit one of the most sacred sites in their faith without the need for a passport or visa, a rarity in the complex Indo-Pak relations.
Kartarpur Corridor: A Symbol of Peace
Inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in November 2019, the Kartarpur Corridor stands as a symbol of hope and collaboration between the two nations. Despite political and military tensions, the corridor has remained open, offering a rare avenue of cooperation.
Pilgrims from India have been granted access to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara without requiring a passport, making the spiritual journey significantly easier. The opening of the corridor was hailed as a major diplomatic success, demonstrating how cultural and religious ties can transcend political boundaries.
A Continued Journey of Faith
The extension of the Kartarpur Corridor agreement for another five years ensures that Sikh pilgrims can continue to make their sacred journey to Kartarpur without interruption. As both countries work to maintain this peaceful initiative, the corridor remains a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in times of political tension, shared faith can build bridges.
With the upcoming by-elections in Pakistan and ongoing discussions about the service fee waiver, it remains to be seen how both countries will navigate the future of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. Nevertheless, for now, Sikh pilgrims can look forward to another five years of uninterrupted access to this holy site.
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