In a rare sign of concord, India and Pakistan have approved the construction of corridor linking India with the historic Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara in Pakistan’s Narowal district, where the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev, spent his last few years with his followers.
Once built, the corridor will allow Sikh pilgrims from India a visa-free access to the celebrated shrine to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November 2019.
But ever since the announcement, both the sides are scuffling over ‘who made the first move’ towards fulfilling the longstanding demand of the Sikh diaspora who have been lobbying for the corridor for many years.
Hours after the Indian government approved the corridor on Thursday “urging Pakistan to reciprocate”, Islamabad wasted no time in setting the record straight by claiming that it had “already conveyed” to India about its decision to open the corridor, with Prime Minister Imran Khan slated to “break ground” on the construction on November 28th.
Taking it a step further, Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Hussain described India’s decision as an “endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition,” on Twitter.
Meanwhile, ahead of the state elections, politicians in the northern state of Punjab too aren’t shying away from claiming the credit for the initiation of the Kartarpur project.
The issue likely to become a poll agenda for both the ruling Congress and the Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition in times to come.
Leading the bandwagon was Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu who claims that his recent visit to Pakistan for Imran Khan’s swearing-in ceremony earlier this year has catalysed Pakistan’s decision.
He tweeted saying “It will act like a soothing balm for the two neighbouring countries.”
SAD President and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal also hailed the decision.
The Indian government intends to provide a full-fledged access to the corridor which will be equipped with modern facilities, throughout the year, and not just on special occasions.
The news has received loud cheers from the Sikh community across the globe.
