The construction site of the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan September 16, 2019. PHOTO: Foreign Office/FILE
After protracted negotiations punctuated by frequent snags, the neighbouring countries signed official papers on October 24 to open the corridor for Indian Sikh pilgrims who wish to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib without a visa.
Pakistan, India ink historic Kartarpur Corridor pact
Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is one of Sikhism’s holiest sites located in Narowal district.
Welcome news of a finalized agreement that paves the way for a corridor between India and Pakistan, allowing Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. We look forward to the formal opening in November. Building people-to-people ties between neighbors is good news. AGW
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) October 24, 2019
The State Department said that it looks forward to the formal inauguration of the corridor in November and an increase in people to people ties is "good news".
The agreement was signed by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry official Dr Mohammad Faisal and Subhas Das of India’s Home Affairs Ministry at the border crossing close to Kartarpur Gurdwara.
In pictures: Signing of Pakistan, India historic Kartarpur Corridor agreement
The Kartarpur corridor – about six kilometres long – will connect Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, the last resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji, with Dera Baba Nanak Sahib, another Sikh holy site in the Indian state of Punjab.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will formally inaugurate the corridor on November 9, well before the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak.
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