"India and Pakistan Renew Kartarpur Corridor Agreement Until 2029 for Visa-Free Access to Sikh Pilgrims".
International
India and Pakistan have renewed their agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor, extending its operation for another 5 years, until 2029.
- The corridor provides visa-free access for Indian Sikh pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, a key religious site for Sikhs, as it marks the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, and the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus.
- The original agreement was signed on October 24, 2019.
- The extension of the Kartarpur Corridor agreement was announced on October 22, 2024.
Main Points:- (i) Despite the renewal, India has reiterated its request for Pakistan to waive the USD 20 (Rs 1682) service charge imposed on each pilgrim. Pakistan argues that the fee is necessary to cover the costs of maintaining the corridor and its facilities.
(ii) The Kartarpur Corridor is about 4 kilometers long, connecting the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal, Pakistan, with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district, India. It is located on the east bank of the Ravi River in India, around 1 km from the Indo-Pakistan border.
(iii) The corridor was inaugurated in November 2019 as part of the celebrations for Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary.
About Pakistan
Prime Minister : Shehbaz Sharif
Currency : Pakistani Rupee
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