Kartarpur Corridor, Significance, History, Agreement, UPSC

Kartarpur Corridor is a unique and significant initiative with immense religious, historical, and political importance. It is a visa-free corridor that connects India and Pakistan, allowing Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan. Opened in November 2019, the Kartarpur Corridor stands as a symbol of peace, cross-border cooperation, and religious harmony. 

We have created this informative guide, which explores its history, significance, the agreement between India and Pakistan, and relevance to topics like Kartarpur Corridor UPSC preparation.

Historical Background of Kartarpur Sahib

Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is situated in Pakistan’s Narowal District which is considered as one of the most admired Sikh religious sites. This is a place where Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last 18 years of his life. This gurdwara became a historical place after Guru Nanak Dev Ji passed away in 1539. 

After the partition of India in 1947, Kartarpur Sahib ended up on the Pakistani side of the border, as the majority of Sikhs lived in India. For decades, many Indian Sikhs could only view the gurdwara from a distance across the border at Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur District in India, using binoculars to see a glimpse of this holy place. The emotional connection and desire to visit Kartarpur Sahib ultimately directed the establishment of the Kartarpur Corridor.

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What is the Kartarpur Corridor?

The Kartarpur Corridor is a 4.7 km (2.9 miles) long passageway that directly links Dera Baba Nanak in India to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan. It was inaugurated on November 9, 2019, in observance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th birth anniversary, an event of great significance for Sikhs. 

The corridor allows Indian pilgrims to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara without a visa, although Indian people must obtain a valid passport and permit to enter the corridor. The establishment of the Kartarpur corridor is a noteworthy milestone in India-Pakistan relations while fulfilling a long-awaited aspiration of millions of Sikhs.

Kartarpur Corridor Agreement

The Kartarpur Corridor agreement was an officially signed contract accepted by both countries, it was signed between India and Pakistan on October 24, 2019. This agreement laid the groundwork for the smooth functioning of the corridor, ensuring that the pilgrims could travel safely and easily. Some key highlights of the agreement include:

1. Visa-free Access: Indian pilgrims do not require a visa to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. However, they need to register online and obtain a permit before their travel.
2. Daily Pilgrims Limit: As per the Kartarpur Corridor agreement, up to 5,000 pilgrims can visit Kartarpur Sahib daily. This number can be increased based on mutual agreement between India and Pakistan.
3. Passport Requirement: Pilgrims must carry their valid passports during the journey, though no visa is required. This will ensure security and transparency per the agreed-upon procedures between both countries.
4. Open on Special Days: The corridor remains open on all days, including important Sikh religious occasions, allowing pilgrims greater access during festivals.
5. Environment and Infrastructure: Both governments have invested in improving the infrastructure of the region surrounding the Kartarpur Corridor. On the Indian side, the government constructed a state-of-the-art terminal at Dera Baba Nanak to facilitate pilgrims’ movement.

Significance of Kartarpur Corridor for Sikhs

For the global Sikh community, the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor holds a huge religious and emotional significance. Guru Nanak Dev Ji is not only idiolizes as the first Sikh Guru but also as a spiritual leader whose teachings exceed boundaries and faiths. His final resting place at Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara represents the universality of his message of peace, unity, and selfless service.

Kartarpur Corridor and India-Pakistan Relations

The Kartarpur Corridor has been widely praised as a “corridor of peace” between India and Pakistan, two nations that have experienced political tension and military conflicts since the 1947 partition. Despite historical enmity between these two neighbouring countries, the corridor has been a remarkable initiative that demonstrates how shared cultural and religious heritage can promote goodwill and cooperation.

However, the diplomatic dynamics surrounding the corridor are complex. While establishing the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is a significant step towards promoting peace, political analysts point out that both countries continue to maintain their conflicting positions on issues like Kashmir.

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Recent Developments in Kartarpur Corridor

Since its inauguration, the Kartarpur Corridor has seen many recent developments that highlight its growing importance. After a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the corridor was reopened in November 2021. 

• The Indian and Pakistani governments have discussed expanding the number of pilgrims allowed per day and simplifying the registration process. 
• Proposals for joint maintenance and development of infrastructure around the corridor have been accepted. 
• Despite political tensions, both governments have continued to support the corridor’s functioning, recognizing its significance in encouraging goodwill between the two nations.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Kartarpur Corridor is a huge achievement, for both nations but still it faces many challenges. 

1. Firstly, maintaining security along the corridor is important, because of the non-friendly nature of India-Pakistan. 
2. Both countries need to ensure that the corridor remains a symbol of religious pilgrimage and is not exploited for any dishonourable purposes.
3. The continuous political tensions and disruptions highlight the fragility of this peace-building effort. Sustaining the corridor in the long term will require continuous dialogue and cooperation between the two nations.

Kartarpur Corridor UPSC Relevance

Understanding the historical, political, and religious dimensions of the Kartarpur Corridor is vital for aspirants preparing for the UPSC exam. The corridor touches upon multiple aspects of the UPSC syllabus, including international relations, cultural heritage, and India’s foreign policy.

Here are a few areas where the Kartarpur Corridor could be relevant in UPSC exams:

• International Relations: The Kartarpur Corridor agreement between India and Pakistan provides an excellent case study on how cultural diplomacy can work, even in regions with political tensions.
• Indian History and Culture: It highlights the significance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings and the role of Sikhism in India’s religious and cultural landscape.
• Security Concerns: The corridor’s location near a sensitive border makes it an example of balancing security concerns with religious freedom.

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Conclusion

The Kartarpur Corridor stands as a powerful symbol of religious unity and cross-border cooperation. Despite the historical tensions between India and Pakistan, the corridor has brought hope and relief to millions of Sikh devotees worldwide by granting them access to their holy shrine, Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. It underscores the possibility of peaceful coexistence and cultural diplomacy in a conflict-ridden region. As a bridge between nations and faiths, the Kartarpur Corridor continues to inspire hope for a future where shared heritage transcends political boundaries.

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