Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday announced the extension of validity of Agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. The press release said that India and Pakistan through diplomatic channels have agreed to extend the validity of the Agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for a further period of five years.
The Agreement was initially signed on 24 October 2019 and aimed to facilitate the visit of pilgrims from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Narowal, Pakistan through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. It was valid for period of five years. Now, the agreement has been renewed for five more years until 2029.
What Did MEA Say?
MEA in its statement said that the extension in 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.
In addition to this, India has also urged the Pakistan to not levy any fee or charge on the Indian Pilgrims. This request of India came after the continued requests of Indian pilgrims regarding the removal of USD 20 service charge which is levied by Pakistan per pilgrim per visit.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to X to announce this decision. He wrote, “India and Pakistan have renewed the agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for the next five years.” Jaishankar added that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Central Government will continue to ease Sikh community’s access to their holy sites. “PM @narendramodi’s government will continue to facilitate our Sikh community’s access to their holy sites,” said EAM.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also hailed this decision and expressed his gratitude through post on X. Puri said, “Great news for the Sikh community! In keeping with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and his immense affection for the Sikh Sangat and respect for our religious sentiments, the validity of the Agreement to facilitate Sikh pilgrims from India to visit historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur through Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has been extended for a further period of five years.”
About Kartarpur Sahib
Kartarpur is believed to be one of the sacred and holiest places for Sikhs. Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev had preached in Kartarpur for eighteen years. After Partition, the Indian Pilgrims continued to visit the Gurdwara by following the travel conditions and rules laid by both the countries. Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated on 9 November 2019 by PM Narendra Modi from India and by former Pakistan PM Imran Khan from Pakistan.
