- India and Pakistan have extended the Kartarpur Corridor agreement for five more years.
- India requests Pakistan to waive the $20 fee for pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.
- Over 250,000 pilgrims have used the visa-free corridor since its launch in 2019.
India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement, which enables visa-free pilgrimage for Indian Sikhs to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.
This extension, announced on the fifth anniversary of the original agreement, ensures continued access for pilgrims and strengthens the cultural and religious connection between the two nations.
India and Pakistan Secure 5-Year Extension for Kartarpur Sahib Pilgrimage Corridor
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, inaugurated in November 2019, allows daily visits by Indian pilgrims without the need for a visa, fostering goodwill between the two countries. With modern infrastructure such as a highway and Integrated Check Post on the Indian side, the corridor has seen significant usage, with over 250,000 pilgrims traveling since its inception. The extension reflects ongoing cooperation despite broader political tensions, emphasizing the spiritual importance of the site.
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was inaugurated in November 2019 and has since facilitated travel for thousands of pilgrims. The infrastructure on both sides, including a modern Integrated Check Post in India, has ensured smooth movement. India, however, continues to request Pakistan to waive the $20 service fee that pilgrims are currently required to pay.
Since the agreement allows for daily access throughout the year, the Kartarpur Corridor has become a vital spiritual route for devotees. It offers an important example of bilateral cooperation in an otherwise complex geopolitical relationship. The extension of the agreement ensures that this collaboration will continue, at least for the next five years.
The agreement also reflects the potential for people-to-people ties to flourish, even amid political differences. The ongoing operation of the corridor demonstrates the mutual recognition of religious significance and provides an avenue for dialogue and goodwill between India and Pakistan.
The extension of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement is a positive step in ensuring uninterrupted religious pilgrimage, underscoring the enduring cultural ties between India and Pakistan.
“The Kartarpur Corridor is a beacon of hope for peace, showing that cultural and religious bonds can transcend political boundaries.”
