India, Pakistan Extend Kartarpur Corridor Visa-Free Deal

India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the visa-free Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement for an additional five years, enabling pilgrims to continue visiting the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Punjab province. The Kartarpur Corridor, which was inaugurated in 2019, allows Indian Sikh pilgrims to travel directly to one of Sikhism's holiest sites without a visa. This extension signifies both nations' commitment to facilitating religious tourism and providing devotees an accessible way to pay their respects at the shrine, which is located near the Indian border.

The corridor's agreement had originally been set to expire in 2024, but both countries have decided to renew it, recognizing the importance of this religious initiative. Pilgrims can visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib under a special arrangement that permits them to cross the border for a day trip, offering a rare example of cooperation between the neighboring countries, which often have tense relations. The extension ensures that Sikh devotees can continue to visit the sacred site without facing the usual bureaucratic hurdles associated with international travel.

Since its inception, the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has seen thousands of visitors, serving as a significant spiritual and cultural bridge between India and Pakistan. The Gurdwara is highly revered in Sikhism, as it is believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith. The corridor allows pilgrims to visit the site, perform religious rituals, and return to India on the same day, reinforcing the corridor's role as a facilitator of cross-border peace and religious harmony.

This extension also reflects the desire to maintain people-to-people ties amid strained political relations. By renewing the corridor's agreement, both countries acknowledge the cultural and spiritual significance of the Kartarpur Sahib for the Sikh community. The move is seen as a step toward maintaining goodwill and fostering better relations through cultural and religious exchanges, even as broader diplomatic challenges persist.