The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor-

Reimagining the Relationship with Sikh

Heritage & the Religious Diplomacy of
Inclusive Pakistan
Muhammad Saleem Mazhar
Naheed S. Goraya

Kartarpur, about 118 kilometers (73 miles) from Lahore in

Narowal district, lies on the banks of the Ravi River. It is where
Guru Nanak, the founder of the 5th largest religion of the world,
Sikhism, lived for 18 years before he died there in 1539. Guru
Nanak's philosophy (developed & disseminated here) formed the
basis of Sikhism, focusing on equality and service to others. The
Sikhs all over the world come to Nankana Sahib (Pakistan) to
celebrate Guru Nanak Gurpurab1. Last year on November 9, 2019,
Pakistan has opened the visa-free corridor on 550th birthday of the
founder of Sikhism, allowing the Sikh pilgrims to travel between
Dera Baba Nanak on Indian side (Gurdaspur) and the Sri
Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara (Kartarpur) on Pakistani side. The
Kartarpur Corridor carries greater significance in the backdrop of
Pakistan India relations. It is widely hoped that the good-will
gesture and people to people contact ultimately would positively
lead to better diplomatic relations and economic ties between the
borders. This article particularly draws attention towards the
emblematic significance of the corridor how it reimagines the
relationship with Sikh heritage in the offing of the religious
diplomacy of inclusive Pakistan. The paper leaves few questions
to be answered by future researchers. It concludes that this
initiative is a milestone in the elevation of interfaith harmony and
a step towards regional peace.

Introduction

Kartarpur, meaning ‘place of God’, is located in Tehsil Shakargarh,

Narowal District in the Punjab. The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, an imposing white
structure, stands in the middle of lush green fields 2.5 km off Shakargarh Road in
Kartarpur. The first Guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, founded Kartarpur in 1504 AD
and his Sikh commune comprised people of all religions and castes. He spent the
last 18 years of his life there, one of the holiest sites under Sikhism, (Kartarpur
Fact-Finding, 2019 April 18).The Kartapur Gurudwara covers 42 acres (21, 650
Sq.m Building), making it one of the largest in the world.
516 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

It was Sharif, the former Pakistani Prime Ministerand former Indian Prime
Minister AtalBihari Vajpayee (1996, 1998-99 & 1999-2004) who anticipated the
Kartarpur corridor in early 1999, as part of their Delhi–Lahore Bus diplomacy.The
renovation of GurdwaraDarbar Sahibat Kartarpur was started in early 2000 by the
assistance of Canadian and American Sikhs (Khalid, 2019). On November 28,
2018, the construction project of the corridor was inaugurated by Imran khan,
Pakistani Prime Minister while likewise the foundation stone for the Indianpart of
the Corridor was laid by M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Vice President of India. The
corridor connects 2 significant Sikh Shrines, DeraBaba Nanak Sahib, Gurdaspur in
India and Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, giving access for Sikh Pilgrims from Indian
Punjab to Pakistani Punjab on November 26, 2018 (Sevea, 2018).According to
officials, “the corridor can accommodate up to 5,000 pilgrims per day and up to
10,000 can visit the Gurudwara daily”

(https://minorityrights.org/2019/11/09/opening-the-kartarpur-corridor-is-a-symbol-
of-peace-and-respect-between-religions-and-deserves-applause-says-mrg/).This
"corridor of peace" is the latest effort to mend cultural liaison between the two
countries.The corridor carries significance for 2 reasons, particularly:

a. Visa requirement has been waived off, just a valid ID needed

b. No registration is required 10 days in advance.

The project has been called a breakthrough of peace between India and Pakistan,
two South Asian neighbors with a hostile history (https://www.dw.com/en/why-
kartarpur-corridor-is-unlikely-to-defuse-india-pakistan-tensions/a-51166467)

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/india-pakistan-kartarpur-corridor-opens-intl-hnk/index.html
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor-Reimagining the Relationship with Sikh Heritage... 517

Route
Before this Corridor opened, in order to reach Dera Baba NanaK from the Indian
capital of New Delhi, one had to fly to Amritsar in the North-Western Indian state
of Punjab, 28 kilometers (17 miles) from the Pakistani border. From there, through
travelling by car to the city of Dera Baba Nanak, where the corridor begins, lies the
place, 1 kilometer away from the border
(https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/india-pakistan-kartarpur-corridor-opens-intl-
hnk/index.html). The distance to Kartarpur was otherwise 112 miles (180 Km)
from Nankana Sahib (Khalid, 2019).

The Birthplace of Sikhism

Sikh means, seekers of truth. Sikh religion doers not have any concet of Prohets,
otar and they call their Guru an illuminated soul (Rao, 2019). Sikhism is the 5 th
biggest religion of the world. Its followers celebrate the birth of their Guru in the
Punjabi Desi month of Katak on the day of Full moon (PooranMashi).The Sikh
religion was founded in Punjab, "the land of five rivers”, now separated between
India and Pakistan, with most of the world's 27 million Sikhs living in India.The
Sikh Community has a high degree of ethnic homogeneity and a string sense of
loyalty to Punjab. It is entirely permissible to claim that Sikh history originates
with Guru Nanak, lasting for two centuries through a line of nine successors
(McLeaod, 1999: 4).

The first Gurdwara in the world was built in 1520s in Kartarpur.

(https://www.brecorder.com/2018/12/05/456784/kartarpur-religious-tourism-
potential/). The changing course of the Ravi River swept up the original village,
and the shrine itself had gone through several rebuilds and renovations over the
518 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

centuries.“After Nanak died, there was a dispute between the local Hindus and
Muslims. Hindus, who claimed Nanak as their Guru, wanted to cremate his body,
while Muslims, who saw him as their peer, wanted to bury him. It is believed that
Guru Nanak's body was turned into flowers, which were then divided between the
two communities”(https://www.koamnewsnow.com/lifestyle/indiapakistan-peace-
corridor-opens-sikh-temple-to-tourists/1140154185).After his death, on the
demand of his followers, both grave and Samadhi2 were constructed (Khalid,
2019).

Life &Teachings of Baba Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak was born in 14693 and grew up in his father’s4 village, named
Talvandi5. In his young age, he did employment in the services of Daulat Khan
LodinSultanpur. From here, he began travelling where he finally settled in
Kartarpur6. There he died,according to the available resources, in 1539 (McLeod,
1999: 5). While Guru Nanak himself has described about the era he lived that,
“This age is like a drawn sword, the Kings are butchers; Goodness hath taken
wings and flown (Singh, 1990: 99). Guru Nanak started a reformist movement to
abolish Shirk7 in Hinduism. His teachings revolved around belief in one God and
one humanity.
The most interesting feature of Guru Nanak’s days was Sufism. Guru Nanak
(1469-1539) lived in an age of political disintegration (Banerjee, 2000: 1, 810).
Guru Nanak’s verses have many references to a class of Muslim Faqeers called
Jangam (MacAuliffe, 1909: 169). Sikhs are the moderate reformist group that has
emerged from Hinduism. Its founder, Guru Nanak chose to embrace the good
teachings of all religions that have universal applicability.Granth Sahib has 5,894
ballads, 292 couplet of BhagatKabeer and 134 ballads of Baba FareedGanjShakar.
Challenging the dogma across religion, Guru Nanak enticed Muslims and Hindus
as his followers. Hisphilosophical drive claimed for an inclusive religiosity that
endorsed people from various sects, castes and religions to congregate and worship
one God.People of all religions are welcome at Sikh temples because Sikhism
teaches inclusiveness and equality without gender discrimination, apart from the
sarovars8(Regen, Saifi & Suri, 2019).Nanak believed in the doctrine of
transmigration. Holding wine and pork unlawful, he abstained from animal food
and enjoined against cruelty to animals, Just as Nanakpraised Muhammadans, he
also praised the incarnations of gods and goddesses of the Hindus. But he knew
them all to be the creation and not the creator (Singh, 1984).
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor-Reimagining the Relationship with Sikh Heritage... 519

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/why-kartarpur-corridor-is-unlikely-
to-defuse-india-pakistan-tensions/a-51166467

Guru Nanak believed that in order to avoid sin, live in the world as Nuphar
remains dry no matter if it grows in water, like the duck, for that it swims in water
yet its feathers remain dry- this was the teachings of Guru Nanak. In search of
truth, he travelled for 20-25 years. His 5 travels are very famous and every time he
returned to Kartarpur. Those who settled in Kartarpur because of Guru Nanka, laid
the foundation of first informal Sikh Community (Baradari). Guru gave them three
principles of work, worship and charity. The worship led to the singing of ballads
and Langar9 which was open to every creed. This practice gave birth to volunteer
service. In any Gurdwara of the world, if one goes, one will find Kirtan10 and
Langaraltogether, i-e; Worship and Charity. Guru Nanak kept doing farming since
to earn and work is an important factor of Sikh religion. Therefore, it is likely sure
that nowhere in the world, any Sikh beggar is found. He denied (the doctrines of)
Halool (direct descent from or incarnation of God) and Ittihad (direct union of all-
pervading God with any particular body) (Singh, 1984, April).

Partition Story

The partition which was thought to be a solution to the communal issues of India
did not minimize the hostility. Whereas Kashmir remained a soaring contention
through the history.With the partition of the Sub-Continent, a large number of
people were cut off from their religious places. So was the case with the Sikhs in
Indian Punjab, as most of them were situated in Pakistani Punjab. One of which is
the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara (Sevea, 2018). The antipathy has remained there
since decades which resulted in bloody riots at the times of partition and migration
of 12-15 million people. The division not only divided pieces if land but the two
sacred temples too (https://www.dw.com/en/why-kartarpur-corridor-is-unlikely-to-
defuse-india-pakistan-tensions/a-51166467).

Many Sikh went to India and overnight, few of the sacred places for Sikhs, like
Nankana Sahib were abandoned.After the partition, the abandoned and rotting
building of the Kartarpur shrine became a symbol of loss and destruction of the
sacred geography of the Sikhs. “In the 1980s, the Darbar Sahib was claimed by
smugglers due to its position near to the border” (Regen, Saifi & Suri, 2019).
However in presence of security concerns and prickly relations between both
520 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

countries, Sikhs were visiting Pakistan though a challenging task. However, the
earlier religious travelling between both countries has been regulated by 1974
Protocol11, constituting an Agreement between the Pakistani and Indian
governments under visitor category visas.

From Guru Nanak to 10th Guru, Gobind Singh, the local Muslims and Sikhs in
Punjab did not have any religious conflict or clash until 1947. As a result of which
15 million Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus were forced to migrate in Punjab. To its
reaction, most of the bloodshed was done in Punjab. In this charged political
milieu, Sikh heritage fell a victimto negligence and occasionally enmity. However
the riots during partitiondid not reach to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa12. However in 1965
and 1971 wars, many Sikhs were forced from their villages and left for Nankana
Sahib, 500 Km (310 miles) away. This is how small Sikh communities began to
emergein the area (Khalid, 2019).
However it was not only the local community that stirred the revamping of these
structures. During 1980s, Sikh started a separatist movement in India. But by 1985,
this movement subsided whereas the relations between Sikh heritage and Pakistani
state survived. InMusharaff’s era, following his theory of enlightened moderation,
the religious minorities and their festivals were given due weightage. At that time,
many Indian Sikh pilgrims were given visa for Pakistan and simultaneously, the
facilities at Gurdwara were improved.

Religious Diplomacy
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor issue has definitely religious connotations. The
uniqueness of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is that the Sikhs do not need visa for
visiting their most sacred religious place. It shows that Pakistan has simplified the
access to their religious places and it is not being possessed as the commodity of
Pakistan. Since it is being facilitated for a minority therefore it should be
appreciated. Neither it is harming anyone nor is it denying the rights of any other
ethnic or religious community.
It is the only such religious corridor in the whole world where there is no single
example that a country , especially with a visa regime and troubled past in history,
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor-Reimagining the Relationship with Sikh Heritage... 521

and such an immense respect for a specific religious community has been
demonstrated with an open heart and good will gesture. But the problem with this
corridor on Indian part has been that it again tried to get political mileage out of
this initiative. They thought that since majority of the Sikhs live in India, they are
not their religious minority. Their sentiments, emotional attachments and religious
obligations are the problems of Pakistan which are not, absolutely.
In order to bridge the trust gap, the respect for other party’s ideology/ sentiments
and religion, Pakistan’s decision to open Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is the only
gesture is the only gesture to show respect towards an ethnic community and this
may lead to opening up of many other religious corridors in future-why not? Like
Hindus in Jammu & Kashmir (https://kashmirobserver.net/2018/09/06/kashmiri-
pandits-write-open-letter-to-imran-khan/) have called on the governments of both
countries to construct a similar corridor to permit Hindu Pilgrims for visiting
ShradaPeeth13 which now falls on Pakistani side of Loc. Though it is not included
in 1974 Protocol as a shrine for pilgrims purpose (Sevea, 2018).
And it all depends if Modi government / BJP wants to get rid of the troubled past
and move forward. They will have to compromise their political vote bank which
they have established on the hatred and mistrust towards Pakistan and anti-
Pakistan sentiments. Pakistan has tried to fill the gap and to bring the two countries
close. Whenever Pakistan has talked about people-to-people contact, unfortunately
something happens and blame is on Pakistan, one step forward and six steps back.
This is so unfortunate. Providing access to a major religious nation within India to
a sacred place to Pakistan is really an amazing development. The credit must be
given to Pakistani government for coming up with very serious initiative which has
done something really different in the field of diplomacy and taking the situation
to the point of resolution between the two countries which are hostile. Though the
core issue of Kashmir remains there yet Kartarpur Corridor has given access to a
nation living within India and brought it closer to Pakistan. In this case, one must
admit that India has lost the diplomatic barrel against Pakistan pretty much,
Pakistan has carried the day. This corridor may not ease the tension between two
countries but can be conducive in tilting the balance in favor of economy over
politics in the region (Kathuria&Mathur, 2019).

Critique
To a real sense, Pakistan desires to uphold its soft image. "The government is
serious enough to preserve the heritage sites in the country and the potential of
money coming in from the Sikh diaspora.It is considered as a succession of
"religious binocular towers" along the Indian side of the border where Sikh
pilgrims would climb and view the Darbar Sahib from a distance.
522 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/why-kartarpur-corridor-is-unlikely-
to-defuse-india-pakistan-tensions/a-51166467

Indian Foreign Ministry has claimed that ISI in Pakistan is training Sikhs in its
camps so that they could make terrorist acts in India. India is trying to prove that
Pakistan is instigating Sikhs on Khalistan Issue. Every year when Indian Sikhs
come to Pakistan, the Indian Government stops them at Wahga border and creates
non-issues. Both countries should not involve common man in their political
differences and problems. No one’s religious sentiments should not be
undermined. If Indian Ministry blames that Pakistan is giving training to terrorists,
then Pakistani authorities may need to ask how many terrorist acts in India has
been done by Sikhs and in how many incidents Pakistan was involved? Itself in
India, Sikh youth is protesting because India has made a movie, Gurpreet Singh
against Sikhs which undermines their religious sentiments. A country should
rethink and revisit that if the minorities are annoyed in a larger system of
governance and larger political set up, then it is the right time that one must put
one’s house in order. If after 72 years of partition, still the minorities are offensive
and the rulers are thinking that those minorities will be misused against their
country, then it is not only Khalistan Movement, it is a complete Naxalite
Movement.
On part of the Indian, if one sees, Congress Party is in power in Punjab, BJP in
center and its ally Akali Dal have ensured that they are front and center of any
event associated with the corridor. Harisma Kaur Bbadal, a leading figure from the
Akali Dal had been in Pakistan to represent Indian Government when ground
breaking ceremony was held. It is interesting fact that the Akali Dal largely
depends on the support of Sikh agriculturalists. Sikhs are major power in India in
their Armed Forces. The Indian Punjab, the largest grain producer in India, Sikhs
are custodians of food products, food supply and chain there. Since last three years,
the party has lost support of those Sikhs particularly because of the contentions of
not taking actions on desecration of Sikh religious texts. Instead of taking actions
on the demands made by Sikhs, on October 14, 2015 the Punjab Police killed two
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor-Reimagining the Relationship with Sikh Heritage... 523

protestors. However, many other actions were taking by Punjab police against the
interest of Sikhs (The Express Tribune, 2015, October 15).
Now since the Corridor has been opened then definitely it has a strong link to the
past relations between India and Pakistan and the current political scenario. If India
criticizes it, it is understandable because the Sikh minority is very much important
from many aspects, and their tilt towards Pakistan, though it is for religious or
social reasons; it is not acceptable for them. India is well aware that it would have
a direct impact on bringing Sikhs and Muslims close and it will a direct positive
impact on Indian Muslims as well. . This will in the long run make hurdles for
Indian extremist minds and Hindutva.
Likewise many groups in Pakistan have condemned the government’s decision to
open the Kartarpur corridor, claimingthat it is like turning a blind eye to India's
abrogation of Kashmir's special status on August 5, 2019. While others assert that
the visa-free border crossing would be a compromise on national sovereignty.It is
indeed surprising that Khan not only permitted the construction of the corridor,
however also worked on it dynamically, bearing in mind the fact that his political
rival and former Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif was one of the architects of the
passage.
Against the framework of recent Kashmir events, the November 9 Kartarpur
corridor inaugural is even more astounding. According to the officials, "The
Kartarpur discussion has endured at least two bilateral crises, in February 2019,
and Pakistan sustained to have this conversation [on Kartarpur] regardless of the
events. In August, we had Article 370 [the abrogation of Kashmir's special
status] and Pakistan escalated the rhetoric on everything else but the Kartarpur
corridor project. That is a demonstration to the fact that powers larger than the
democratic or civilian leadership of Pakistan have been pushing
it" (https://www.dw.com/en/why-kartarpur-corridor-is-unlikely-to-defuse-india-
pakistan-tensions/a-51166467).
It must be appreciated by the global powers thatPakistan has gone an extra mile,
which is laudable. Nonetheless the Kartarpur corridor is an isolated move. It will
have little or no impact on other bilateral disputes. Howeverit is widely believed
that at the end of the day, such initiatives are always
worthwhile(https://www.dw.com/en/why-kartarpur-corridor-is-unlikely-to-defuse-
india-pakistan-tensions/a-51166467).
Hop of conviction
Mamoon (2018) writes that “In Pakistan, Sikhs are a visible minority who may
assert that precedence of law and issues of governance not only spin around all
citizens with diverse ethnicities and religions and may they be a minority
nevertheless even a solace of inclusive dialogue amongst the populations that exist
outside the national borders may benefit from partaking in religion other than
Islam as a starting point towards a peaceful regional or global community. The
localization of global citizenship is established by encouraging anthropological
inclinations among different religious groups that pursue cultural references from
grass roots as is true in case of global Sikh community that precisely expected
524 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

simplification from Islamic Pakistan to empower them reaching out to their roots
much of which is located within the Pakistani borders”.
The opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor echoes the shifting outlooks and
approaches of Pakistanand enduring heritage of Guru Nanak and his ideas. It
would help addressing the wounds of partition, tiling the way for reconciliation
between different religious communities and this is what Guru Nanak tried
throughout his life to formulate an inclusive society (Khalid, 2019). The
GurdwaraDrabar Sahib Kartarpur is one of the holiest places in Sikhism. South
Asian neighbors India and Pakistan have spikey relations and have fought three
wars, two of them over the disputed Kashmir region. India blames Pakistan for
supporting terrorism against India. Given their capricious relations, many view the
opening of this corridor as a majorlandmark. The Indian Prime Minister
NarendraModihas articulated his optimism that it could turn as a bridge between
the people of India and Pakistan. Talking aboutthe fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989,
Modiexpected that the corridor might result in a better future between the two
nations.
"Had anyone ever thought that the Berlin Wall would fall? May be with the
sanctifications of Guru Nanak Dev, this Kartarpur corridor will not just remain a
corridor, however act as a bridge between the peoples of the two countries," Modi
said. Like France and Germany whose leaders decided to break their shackles and
they did (https://www.dw.com/en/kartarpur-corridor-can-india-and-pakistan-bring-
down-their-berlin-wall/a-46491889).
It has been under much debate and many have tried to politicize the issue. No
doubt, politics is major part of this and will always remain there because after
partition many religious places have been divided and remained at those places
where the followers of those particular religions were not in majority. It is widely
believed that there are almost 70 historical Gurdwaras in Pakistan which venerate
several traits of Guru Nanak’s life and out of which 13 or 14 have been revamped
and opened for Sikh pilgrims. The rest of few either desecrated or merged into Sufi
Shrines, preserved by local Muslims and inherited through oral traditions, people
started living there or at all wiped out (Khalid, 2019).
Though nothing can be predicted about Indo-Pak relations which direction would
they move? However, physically, it looks as if the opening of Corridor is a step
forward towards better relations in the days to come. The signals were captivating
and the question in the air is whether this first nod could be the initiation of a long-
awaited facilitation of tensions – rapprochement might be too tough a word --
between India and Pakistan. Unquestionably, Imran Khan has been amassing all
the PR brownie points in recent months by talking about his longing for peace and
how India was evading all his proposals. His moves were making India and Modi
look conspicuouslyimpolite. Also, ever since the Pulwama-Balakotdeadlock it is
exceedinglyvisible that world pressure has gained momentum over India to talk to
Pakistan – and the US President Donald Trump has, of course, offered to arbitrate.
Knowingly, on the Indian side, the corridor’s foundation stone was laid on
November 26 last year, the anniversary of the 26/11 attack. Could that have been a
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor-Reimagining the Relationship with Sikh Heritage... 525

diplomatic lapse or was it anindirect signal that India was ready to put the attack
behind it? Also, Manmohan Singh and Indian Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder
Singh were amongst the first batch of 560 pilgrims who travelled the 4 km from
Dera Baba Saheb in Gurdaspur to GurdwaraDarbar Sahib Kartarpur. Manmohan is
unlikely to have been there if he had not received a green signal from the
government (The Hindu Business Line, 2019, November 12).

On a positive note, this religious diplomacy will prompt tourism in the country as
it will attract Sikh community across the globe¸ residing in UK, Canada and the
US, but majority of them from India. This promotion of local religious tourism
will permit the ancillary services to flourish. Nevertheless, only visa free
facilitation is not good enough. A lot more is needed in the areas of infrastructure,
for example, lodging and boarding facilities, access roads, road-side facilities,
parking, pedestrian areas, in order to sustain the religious tourism. It can bring in
300, 000 persons per year, yielding economic benefits of around $ 300 million
annually
(https://www.brecorder.com/2018/12/05/456784/kartarpur-religious-tourism-
potential/).

Conclusion
The fundamental teachings of Baba Nanak Dev, like universal brotherhood,
equality and sharing have significance for the modern world, predominantly South
Asia. These teachings are aremedy to the fast disseminatingtrend of fanaticism for
different color, race, religion or sect. The South Asian regionacutelyrequires
interfaith harmony. Whereas opening the corridor is a step in the right track, much
more needs to be done to generate a tolerant and inclusive society at both sides of
the border.
Regardless ofcriticisms by several countries, the BJP government continues to
infringefundamental human rights in the Indian Occupied Kashmir whereas it
continuesto target religious minorities, dissenting politicians, intellectuals and
media houses all over the country. Pakistan has revealed its commitment to
regional peace by opening the corridor. India needs to respond by lifting
multifarious curbs on basic human rights in Kashmir and agree to hold talks with
Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues.It is being echoed as a new era of peace,
relationship of mutual cooperation, and historic day (Jafry, 2019). It is a positive
step even after the abrogation of Article 370. Pakistan has, however, kept the
Kartarpur project alive, making it the raison d’être for New Delhi and Islamabad to
retain the diplomatic channels open. This is unique step towards generalizing the
respect for other religions within Islamic identity of Pakistan.

The opening of Kartarpur Corridorinvolves the political will of Pakistani

government to corroborate its rhetoric about developing better ties with India and
526 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

new civilized relationship with India. The decision of opening up visa free corridor
is the right step and in the right direction. In the past same efforts have been made
throughSamjhuta Express14 and Sada-e-Sarhad15, though both services have been
suspended by Pakistan.The Kartarpur Corridor could be a confidence-building
measure in the politically-strained and historically-charged relationship between
India and Pakistan. The Kartarpur Corridor holds the potential to foster religious
tourism, promote people-to-people contact to reduce the trust deficit on both sides,
and in turn perhaps aid dispute resolution by keeping avenues of dialogue open.
National security concerns dominate discussion among policy elites on both sides
and Kartarpur is not the magical solution to resolve deeply contentious issues
between the two countries, such as on Kashmir—in fact, the Indian side has
asserted that operationalizing Kartarpur does not mean “bilateral dialogue will
start.” Nevertheless, it illustrates that the two sides are sometimes able to set their
differences aside to serve the broader interests of their people, and it is thus a
laudable achievement for the two South Asian neighbors (Saha, 2019). Though
diplomatic, moral endeavor is not enough. When the compulsion of cooperation is
greater than the impulse for competitions, things will get better.
It is not enough to talk about peace rather one must believe in it. And it is not
enough to believe in it, one must work on it. An inclusive society is key to
sustainable peace. Any step to create conducive environment for regional peace
and to bridge the trust gap between Pakistan and India should be appreciated and
acknowledged. In order to achieve peace, we need to invest in peace. The peace
initiative has always been appreciated by Pakistan, regarding Kartarpur Corridor. It
needs to be understood that whenever there is an animosity and mistrust, the gap
becomes quite widen. Therefore it is the duty and obligation of the government to
fill that gap through different measures/ initiatives and different gestures. All these
things can culminate into a positive outcome.
Apart from other discussions, the questions need to be researched. How the things
have been incurred between Punjabi Muslims and Sikhs so fast while it could not
happen in case of Hindus and Muslims? Is it a natural minority to minority
brotherhood or there are some other deep historic or social reasons.
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor-Reimagining the Relationship with Sikh Heritage... 527

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The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor-Reimagining the Relationship with Sikh Heritage... 529

Annexure-A
PROTOCOL CONSTITUTING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT
OF INDIA [1974] INTSer 37

PROTOCOL CONSTITUTING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN ON VISIT TO RELIGIOUS
SHRINES

Islamabad, 14 September 1974

The Government of INDIA

AND

The Government of PAKISTAN,

TAKING note of the sentiments and devotion of the various communities in the
two countries for the historic and sacred shrines in the other

HAVE agreed on the following principles for facilitating visits to such shrines :

(i) Such visits from one country to the other shall be allowed without
discrimination as to religion or sect. The list of shrines to be visited will be
finalised shortly through correspondence. The agreed list may be enlarged from
time to time by mutual agreement.
(ii) Upto 20 parties may be allowed to visit from one country to the other every
year. This number may be revised from time to time.
(iii) Every effort should continue to be made to ensure that places of religious
worship mentioned in the agreed list are properly maintained and their sanctity
preserved.
(iv) Such visitors will be given Visitor Category visas.

Sd /-
KEWAL SINGH
Foreign Secretary
Ministry of External Affairs
Government of India

Sd /-
AGHA SHAHI
Foreign Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan

Islamabad, September 14, 1974

Source: http://www.commonlii.org/in/other/treaties/INTSer/1974/37.html
530 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

1
The anniversary of His birth
2
Memorial- A small marking constructed over the buried ashes of a deceased after
cremation of Guru Nanak
3
In the month of Vaisakh, S. 1526. For details see Mcleod, W.h.(1999). Sikhs & Sikhism.
New York: Oxford University Press. P. 36. Though the date of birth had a protracted
controversy, yet Miharban and Puratan traditions has been supported by the Gyan-
ratanavali over the year A.D. 1469
4
Named Kalu, Khatri of the Bedi Sub-caste,
5
RaiBhoi di Talvandi, Talvandi is now called Nankana Sahib, Tehsil Shekhupura, District
Lahore
6
Place situated on the right bank of River Ravi and opposite the town of Dehra Baba
Nanak
7
In Islam, it is the sin of practicing idolatry or polytheism
8
In Sikhism, it refers to the sacred waters of a pool, or moat like tank, built around or close
to Gurdwara
9
The community meal where everyone takes turns cooking, eating and serving food as well
as cleaning. The wheat that will be used in the langar will be from the same fields where
Guru Nanak Devji also cultivated crops
10
Sikh music or Shabadkirtan is Kirtan-style singing of hymns or Shabad from the Guru
Granth Sahib, the central text of Sikhism.It began in the late 16th century as the musical
expression of mystical poetry, accompanied by a musical instrument Rabab,
by BhaiMardana an early follower of Guru Nanak
11
Annexure A attached at the end
12
Earlier called NWFP, the most Westerly Province of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan
13
It is a Hindu temple and ancient center of learning dedicated to the Hindu Goddess of
learning, Sharada. It was one of the foremost temple universities of the Indian Sub-
Continent
14
It is a bi-weekly train—Thursday and Monday—that runs
between Delhi and Attari in India and Lahore in Pakistan
15
It is a passenger bus service connecting the Indian capital of Delhi with the city
of Lahore, Pakistan via the border transit post at Wagah.