The Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement, which is a key travel route for Sikh pilgrims between India and Pakistan, has recently been extended for five years. The corridor runs from Dera Baba Nanak in the Indian state of Punjab to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, where the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, spent his last years.
Under this agreement, Indian pilgrims can visit this holy site without a visa, providing the Sikh community an opportunity for an easy and safe journey. The extension of the agreement ensures that the route will remain open for pilgrims on an ongoing basis.
Sign of thaw in India-Pakistan relations
In recent years, relations between India and Pakistan have been quite tense, mainly due to cross-border terrorism. However, the recent visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Pakistan and the extension of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement is a positive sign. These events indicate that some diplomatic activities are taking place between the two countries, which were stalled for a long time.
Encouraged by Jaishankar’s visit, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also advocated normality in India-Pakistan relations. He believes that both countries should forget the past and live like good neighbours.
Challenges and way forward
However, it is too early to say that these efforts will bring real change in India-Pakistan relations. There are still many issues like terrorism, trade, and diplomatic talks to be resolved. India has a clear stand that terrorism and dialogue cannot go together, and Pakistan has not yet accepted the demand of removal of service charges on Indian pilgrims.
However, the extension of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement and diplomatic efforts are expected to open a new path for dialogue between the two countries.
Conclusion
The extension of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and recent diplomatic activities are steps in a positive direction, but it is too early to see it as an improvement in long-term relations. Through this agreement, it is expected that cooperation and dialogue between the two countries will be promoted, which can lead to improvement in mutual relations.
