India-Pakistan Kartarpur Corridor Expansion

India and Pakistan have now further cemented their change of extending the Kartarpur Corridor deal for another five years. Through this corridor Indian pilgrims might visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan. The first agreement was signed on October 24, 2019 when Imran Khan served as Pakistan’s prime minister. Nevertheless the two countries have not yet end their conflict the expansion tends to make it easier for Sikh pilgrims to get access.

Kartarpur Corridor Overview

• A visa-free corridor that will cover India to Pakistan Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara.
• Founded for the purpose of boosting religious tourism and aspiring to cement friendly relations between the two nations.
• MoU signed in 2019 was to lay the foundation and foster good working relationship to avoid tension.
• It was a five-year contract, but the franchise prolongation is vital.
• In India, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in September that the treaty would be renewed – its operation will continue until 2029.
• The renewal means that the communication lines between India and Pakistan remain open.
• However, there is still a problem of a service fee of $20 per pilgrim even with renewal.
• There are significantly less number of pilgrims in the Gurudwara currently is below the numbers allowed in the corridor, which is a matter of concern.
• Religious tourism, particularly with the extension of corridor agreement, is complementary to the region and proves India is willing to ensure free access to religious places.