Pakistan has renewed its agreement with India for the Kartarpur Corridor, allowing Indian Sikh pilgrims visa-free access to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Sikhism’s founder, Baba Guru Nanak, the Pakistani Foreign Office announced on Tuesday.
The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in November 2019 ahead of Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary, connects the Sikh shrine of Dera Baba Nanak in India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, located in Pakistan’s Punjab province. It is considered a rare example of diplomatic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
Initially signed on October 24, 2019, for a five-year term, the agreement was set to expire on Thursday. The renewal reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to promoting interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence.
“The agreement continues to provide visa-free access to Indian pilgrims, allowing them to visit the sacred site of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, where Baba Guru Nanak spent his final days,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. Since its inception, the corridor has enabled thousands of Sikhs to visit the revered religious site.
Much of the Sikh heritage lies in Pakistan, and when the subcontinent was partitioned in 1947, Kartarpur became part of Pakistan, while most Sikhs remained on the Indian side. For over 70 years, Sikhs have sought easier access to one of their holiest sites.
Pakistan’s decision to open the corridor in 2019 was widely praised, with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres calling it a “Corridor of Hope.”
The Foreign Office highlighted that the corridor meets the long-standing aspirations of the Sikh community, showcasing Pakistan’s recognition of the importance of protecting the rights of religious minorities.
