Skip to main content

India: Importance of the Reopening of Kartarpur Corridor After 1.5 years

The reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor on 18 November 2021 after 1.5 years, on the eve of the 552-birth commemoration (19 November 2021) of the founder of the Sikh religion Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is of significant importance for several reasons.

However, just months after the opening of the Corridor, it had to be shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic flare-up in the region and the world. The travel of pilgrims to Pakistan through the passage was suspended since March 2020, and the neighbouring nation restricted all travel from India due to the surge in covid cases in April 2021. 

Pakistan on 9 November requested India to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor from their side and permit Sikh pilgrims to visit the holy shrine for celebrating Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birthday. After the reopening announcement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted: This decision shows the immense respect of Modi govt towards our Sikh community and Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. 

  The reopening of the Corridor by the Central Govt. came into speculation as it was linked to the upcoming assembly polls in Punjab and it would help to attract voters impacted by the farmer’s protest. However, Som Parkash, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, denied the accusations. The PM reopened the Corridor remembering the sentiments of the Sikh people, and denied the allegations that the authority has opened it, centring on the upcoming assembly polls in the state of Punjab, Prakash added. 

Moreover, many prominent political outfits had requested the government to reopen the Corridor. On Saturday, Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu welcomed the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor and stated that it was conceivable with the endeavours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Pakistan's PM Imran Khan. 

Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi had also declared that the whole state Cabinet would visit Kartarpur Sahib on 18 November as a feature of the primary delegation following the reopening of the passage. After paying homage at Gurudwara Darbar Sahib (Kartarpur), Channi stated that the recovery of bilateral relations via Punjab would begin a new age of prosperity and development.

The Kartarpur Corridor has been called a passage of peace and endless opportunities for both sides. Kartarpur is a small town that was established by Shri Guru Nanak Ji, where he spent the last years of his life alongside his followers.

The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated on the eve of the 550th birthday of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on 9 November 2019 by Pakistan's PM Imran Khan. Imran stated that it would help boost the tourism industry and trade for two sides of the nation.


Kartarpur Corridor










Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PM Modi Stresses Climate Finance and Technology at COP28 for Global South's Ambitions

 During the COP28 Presidency's session on Transforming Climate Finance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the crucial role of climate finance and technology in realizing the aspirations of countries in the Global South, including India. Despite their limited contribution to climate change, these nations bear immense consequences, and PM Modi highlighted their unwavering commitment to climate action, despite resource constraints. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi stated, "We all know that countries in the Global South, including India, have played a lesser role in climate change. But the impact of climate change on them is immense. Despite a lack of resources, these countries are committed to climate action." He expressed the expectation of Global South nations for robust support from developed countries to combat climate change, considering the natural and justified need for assistance. PM Modi welcomed the decision to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund, adopte
Post a Comment
Read more

Bangladesh Military Expresses Discontent Over Chinese Weapons; Reports 'Sub-Standard' and Faulty Parts

  Bangladesh, a traditional buyer of Chinese military equipment, has raised grievances with Beijing regarding the delivery of defective components and technical malfunctions in its imported military hardware. This issue is not unique to Bangladesh, as other nations like Myanmar have also encountered problems with Chinese fighter jets, according to an ET report. Experts in the Chinese defense industry argue that Beijing lacks the expertise to manufacture highly sophisticated military hardware and is not yet considered a top-tier producer of modern defense equipment. They claim that much of China's weapon systems are based on outdated technology copied from the West. Developing countries often opt for Chinese weapons due to their lower cost compared to similar systems from Western countries. China sells arms through state-run export organizations like the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), NORINCO, and CVIC. Sources familiar with the matter told ET that the Bangladesh mil
Post a Comment
Read more

North Korea Celebrates 'New Era of a Space Power' after Satellite Launch

  In a significant development, North Korea recently celebrated what it termed a 'new era of a space power' following the successful launch of a satellite. The reclusive nation's space endeavors have long been a source of international concern and scrutiny, raising questions about its technological capabilities and intentions. This latest achievement has reignited debates and speculation about North Korea's space ambitions. The satellite launch, conducted by North Korea's space agency, comes amid a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and global attention on the Korean Peninsula. The state media hailed the event as a major milestone, highlighting the successful deployment of the satellite into orbit. However, it is important to note that the international community remains skeptical, with concerns over the dual-use nature of space technology that could potentially be applied to ballistic missile systems. North Korea's pursuit of space capabilities has been a conten
Post a Comment
Read more