New Delhi: India and Pakistan have extended their agreement on the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for a further period of five years.
The agreement, first signed on October 24, 2019, to facilitate the visit of pilgrims from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, at Narowal in Pakistan through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, was valid for a period of five years.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that India and Pakistan have agreed through diplomatic channels to extend the validity of the agreement.
This extension, the MEA said, will “ensure uninterrupted operation of the Corridor for use by the pilgrims from India to visit the holy Gurdwara in Pakistan.”
The MEA also said that India has “once again urged Pakistan” not to levy any charges or fees on pilgrims. This, New Delhi says, comes after “continued requests of pilgrims” regarding the removal of US $ 20 service charge levied by Pakistan per pilgrim per visit.
Indian external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar have both posted on X on the decision.
Dar wrote: “The Government of Pakistan has renewed the “Agreement between the Republic of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal, Pakistan” for an additional period of five years!”
Jaishankar wrote: “India and Pakistan have renewed the agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for the next five years. PM [Narendra Modi]’s government will continue to facilitate our Sikh community’s access to their holy sites.”
