India, Pakistan agree to extend Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement

New Delhi, Oct 22: The governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the validity of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement for an additional five years.

The agreement, first signed on October 24, 2019, facilitates the travel of Indian pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, through the dedicated Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. This decision, achieved through diplomatic channels, ensures that Indian pilgrims will continue to have uninterrupted access to the revered Sikh site.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India, this extension marks a commitment by both countries to uphold the spirit of the original agreement. The MEA highlighted that "the extension of the validity of this Agreement will ensure uninterrupted operation of the Corridor for use by the pilgrims from India to visit the holy Gurdwara in Pakistan."

The Kartarpur Corridor holds immense religious significance for Sikhs worldwide, as it allows them to visit the Gurdwara without requiring a visa. The shrine, located in Pakistan’s Narowal district, is believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikhism.

The agreement was initially hailed as a rare moment of collaboration between India and Pakistan, two nations often at odds, especially in light of their longstanding strained diplomatic relations.

However, despite the successful extension of the agreement, some issues remain unresolved. A persistent point of contention has been the USD 20 service fee levied by Pakistan on each pilgrim visiting the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara.

Indian officials have repeatedly urged Pakistan to remove this fee, arguing that such charges create unnecessary financial burdens on pilgrims. The MEA reiterated its stance, stating, "In view of the continued requests of pilgrims regarding the removal of USD 20 service charge levied by Pakistan per pilgrim per visit, India has once again urged Pakistan to not levy any fee or charges on the pilgrims."

Since its inauguration, the Kartarpur Corridor has served as a symbol of peace and religious harmony, drawing thousands of Sikh pilgrims. Despite intermittent border tensions between India and Pakistan, the corridor has continued to function, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Sikh community.

The latest extension of the agreement reaffirms both nations' commitment to maintaining this cross-border religious connection, even as broader diplomatic relations remain complex. Many observers hope that this symbol of peace can go a long way as the confidence-building measures between the two countries resolving their differences and live as peaceful neighbours.