India asks Visa-free travel for pilgrims on Kartarpur Corridor

India and Pakistan held detailed discussions on Kartarpur corridor. Exactly after one month of the Pulwama attack, officials of both the countries held a meeting to have a constructive discussion.

India emphasized on allowing at least 5,000 pilgrims daily in the first phase of Kartarpur project without a visa and any other additional documentation or procedure. The country further urged to allow another 10,000 pilgrims on special days like Baisakhi and Gurupurab.

Another meeting will be held on March 19 by the technical experts and round of talks will be held on April 2 at Wagah.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the Indian delegation is planning to visit Islamabad on March 28.

After the meeting, a joint statement was issued by both countries.

As per the statement, the first meeting was held at Attari, India in which the modalities and the draft Agreement for simplification of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib through the Kartarpur Corridor were discussed.

The discussions were held on various aspects including the provisions of the proposed corridor and joint work to finish and bring into the function of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

The meeting was held at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari on the Indian side.

18 members from Pakistan participated in the meeting. Officials of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) from India joined in the discussion. In addition to that, all other officials of related departments also participated in it.

The Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Narowal, Pakistan is believed to be a special place where Sikhism Founder Guru Nanak Dev spent around 18 years of his time before demise.

That’s why it is considered holy to the Sikhs. And for the past 70 years, efforts are being made to ease the travel of the pilgrims to offer prayers at the specific gurudwara.

Now, with the construction of the corridor, the travel would be facilitated to visit the gurudwara.

Image Credit: Larry Tomlinson CC BY 2.0

Image Reference: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dcl/635354309