India and Pakistan extend Kartarpur Corridor agreement for 5 more years

The extension, confirmed through diplomatic channels, will ensure that the corridor remains open and functional, allowing uninterrupted pilgrimages.

In Short

• Corridor allows visa-free access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib
• India requests Pakistan to waive USD 20 service charge for pilgrims
• Extension ensures uninterrupted access for Sikh pilgrims

India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the validity of the agreement on the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for another five years. The diplomatic decision ensures the continued operation of the corridor, allowing Indian pilgrims to visit the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.

The original agreement, signed on October 24, 2019, facilitated visa-free access for Indian pilgrims to the historic gurdwara. The corridor was initially valid for five years and has become a vital link for thousands of devotees who wish to pay homage at one of the holiest Sikh sites.

The extension, confirmed through diplomatic channels, will ensure that the corridor remains open and functional, allowing uninterrupted pilgrimages. The Kartarpur Corridor, hailed as a symbol of religious harmony, allows Sikhs from India to visit the gurdwara, where Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, spent the final years of his life.

INDIA URGES PAKISTAN TO WAIVE SERVICE CHARGE

In addition to extending the corridor’s agreement, India has renewed its request for Pakistan to waive the USD 20 service charge levied on pilgrims. For years, pilgrims and Sikh organisations have called for the removal of the fee, emphasising that the spiritual journey should not come with financial burdens.

Despite repeated appeals from the Indian government, Pakistan has continued to impose the fee on pilgrims. In the latest diplomatic outreach, India once again urged Pakistan to consider the sentiments of the pilgrims and eliminate the charge to ensure a seamless and accessible experience for all devotees.

The extension of the agreement marks another chapter in the Kartarpur Corridor’s ongoing success, with hopes that further improvements, such as the removal of the service charge, will enhance the pilgrimage experience in the coming years.

The Kartarpur Corridor remains a beacon of cross-border religious connection, promoting peace and fostering goodwill between the two nations.