Table of Contents
- Kartarpur Corridor The Kartarpur Corridor is a, 4.7 kilometers long, visa-free border crossing and secure corridor, connecting the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan to the border with India.
- Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, also called Kartarpur Sahib, is a gurdwara in Kartarpur, Narowal District, Punjab province of Pakistan.
- It is built on the historic site where, Guru Nanak, settled and assembled the Sikh community after his missionary travels.
Kartarpur Corridor
- Kartarpur corridor also connects two important Sikh shrines Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan and Dera Baba Nanak in India.
- After the death of Guru Nanak in 1539, The changing course of the River Rabi eventually washed away the habitation in Kartarpur.
- A new habitation was formed, representing the present-day Dera Baba Nanak on the left bank of the Ravi river.
History of Kartarpur Corridor
- In 1998 , Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan discussed opening of Kartrpur corridor but the Kargil War stopped the Kartarpur- Dera Baba Nanak corridor initiative.
- In November 2018 , both countries laid foundation stone for Kartarpur corridor.
- In August 2019, India and Pakistan agreed to allow visa-free travel of Indian citizens to Kartarpur and inaugurated Dera Baba NanakKartarpur corridor.
Why in News
- On June 27th , Pakistan foreign minister said that Pakistan is preparing to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor for all Sikh pilgrims on June 29th .
- Corridor was temporarily closed in March due to Covid-19 pandemic.
- India said it would evaluate the offer before making any announcement, and that Pakistan was trying to create a “mirage of goodwill”
Diplomatic Spat over Spy Allegation
- This reduction in staff size came after Pakistan detained 2 officials of Indian Embassy in Islamabad for 10 hours in a case of hit and run.
- Prior to this India expelled 2 Pakistani officials from Pakistan High commission over charges of involvement in spying.
Diplomatic Spat over Spy Allegation
- On June 24 India said it will reduce the staff strength in Pakistan High commission in New Delhi by 50% and would also recall half of its staff from Indian High commission in Islamabad.
India’s Concerns
- India is cautious with the surprising reaction of Pakistan and have four major concerns regarding opening of Kartarpur corridor.
- Terror camps near Kartarpur
- Spread of Covid-19
- ü Dual face of Pakistan
Terror Camps near Kartarpur Sahib
- Intelligence agencies have spotted terrorist training activities in the border district of Narowal in Pakistan’s Punjab province, the same district where Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is situated.
- Pakistan may infiltrate terrorists from Kartarpur corridor as Sikh pilgrims.
Covid-19
- Punjab province of Pakistan is badly affected by Covid-19 pandemic. Reopening of Kartarpur corridor at this time can increase the spread of the disease on Indian side.
Dual Face of Pakistan
- On one hand Pakistan is trying to start peace process through soft diplomacy on the other hand Pakistan is trying to defame India as exporter of terrorism.
Indian Interest
- At present when India is occupied on its eastern borders with China, soft diplomacy and dialogue with Pakistan can be useful in easing out tension at Western border of India.
- It will also telegraph India’s intention and determination to keep its relations with the two countries separate despite their apparent efforts to make common cause over Ladakh and Kashmir.
Indian Interest
- In recent past Pakistan has been trying to portray that India is not willing to take the peace process forward.
- Reopening will deprive Islamabad of the opportunity to go to town with the cry that India has once again rejected Pakistan’s hand of friendship.
Comment Section
- Indus Water treaty and Kartarpur Corridor are the only two milestones achieved in the last 70 years from dialogues between India and Pakistan. Do you think India should consider the proposal of reopening of Kartarpur corridor to give South Asia another chance of peace and prosperity.
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