India and Pakistan Extend Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced the extension of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement between India and Pakistan for another five years. This decision aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and respect for the Sikh community’s religious sentiments.
Puri, who attended the corridor’s groundbreaking ceremony in 2018 and was part of the first group to visit the Gurdwara Sahib in 2019, expressed his gratitude for the extension. He highlighted PM Modi’s efforts in organizing significant Sikh celebrations and removing GST from Langar Seva.
In a post on X, Puri emphasized the importance of the corridor for Sikh pilgrims visiting the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. He also mentioned PM Modi’s initiatives to support Sikhs affected by the 1984 violence and those seeking refuge from Kabul.
The agreement, initially signed on October 24, 2019, facilitates Indian pilgrims’ visits to the Gurdwara in Pakistan’s Narowal. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the extension through diplomatic channels, ensuring uninterrupted access for pilgrims.
India has urged Pakistan to remove the USD 20 service charge per pilgrim. Earlier, Pakistan issued 509 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for Maharaja Ranjeet Singh’s death anniversary, honoring the first king of the Sikh empire.
Doubts Revealed
Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor -: The Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is a special pathway that allows Indian pilgrims to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan without a visa. It connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India to the Gurdwara in Pakistan.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib -: Gurdwara Darbar Sahib is a holy place for Sikhs located in Pakistan. It is significant because it is the place where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last years of his life.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri -: Hardeep Singh Puri is an Indian politician and a Union Minister in the government. He is responsible for various departments and often speaks on important issues like this agreement.
PM Modi -: PM Modi refers to Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the Indian government and makes important decisions for the country.
USD 20 service charge -: The USD 20 service charge is a fee that Pakistan charges each Indian pilgrim who visits the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the corridor. India has asked Pakistan to remove this fee to make it easier for pilgrims to visit.
Diplomatic cooperation -: Diplomatic cooperation means that two countries are working together peacefully to solve issues and make agreements. In this case, India and Pakistan are cooperating to allow pilgrims to visit a religious site.