The governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement for another five years. The extension was officially announced on October 22, 2024, by the Ministry of External Affairs, ensuring the continuation of visa-free travel for Indian pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.
Key Highlights of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement
- Renewal of Agreement Until October 2029
- The original agreement, which was set to expire on October 24, 2024, has been extended for five years, ensuring pilgrims can continue visiting the holy site without interruption.
- Context of Renewal
- The extension comes after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting, marking the first high-level talks between the two nations since 2015.
- Ongoing Diplomatic Engagement
- During his visit, Minister Jaishankar met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, discussing bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
Details of the Kartarpur Corridor Agreement
| Key Points | Details |
| Initial Agreement Date | October 24, 2019 |
| Current Extension | Valid until October 24, 2029 |
| Service Charge | $20 fee per pilgrim to enter Pakistan |
| Visa-Free Travel | Pilgrims need only a permit to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib |
| Significance | Provides Indian Sikhs easy access to Guru Nanak’s final resting place |
Background on the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor
The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated in 2019 to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It connects Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, India, to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal, Pakistan. Pilgrims can visit the gurdwara without a visa, although a service fee applies.
Context of Extension: Jaishankar’s Visit to Pakistan
The renewal was announced shortly after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the SCO meeting in Islamabad. This visit marked the first direct engagement between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan since Sushma Swaraj’s visit in 2015. Discussions included the Kartarpur Corridor, regional cooperation, and future relations.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lauded the talks as a positive step towards future cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized the importance of peaceful dialogue and mutual understanding.
Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement- Summary
- India and Pakistan have extended the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement until October 2029.
- The extension was announced on October 22, 2024, following talks between leaders in Islamabad.
- Minister S. Jaishankar met with Pakistani officials, marking the first high-level engagement since 2015.
- The Kartarpur Corridor allows visa-free visits for Indian pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.
The initial agreement, signed in 2019, was about to expire on October 24, 2024.
Also Read Latest Current Affairs 2024
The Kartarpur Corridor is a 4.1 km-long road connecting Dera Baba Nanak in India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, allowing visa-free visits for Indian pilgrims.
India and Pakistan extended the agreement to ensure uninterrupted access for pilgrims, reflecting ongoing cooperation between the two nations.
The original agreement was signed in 2019 and was set to expire on October 24, 2024, before being extended until 2029.
The renewed agreement is valid for five more years, until October 24, 2029.
No, Indian pilgrims do not need a visa. They only need a permit and have to pay a $20 service fee.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib is the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, making it a holy pilgrimage site for Sikhs worldwide.
The renewal of the Kartarpur agreement was confirmed after Minister Jaishankar’s diplomatic visit to Pakistan, where he engaged in discussions with top officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
