India and Pakistan Extend Kartarpur Corridor Agreement for 5 Years, India Pushes to Scrap $20 Pilgrim Fee

India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the Kartarpur Corridor Agreement for another five years. This corridor, which provides Sikh pilgrims from India with visa-free access to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan, remains one of the most important religious routes for Sikhs globally. However, the long-standing issue of Pakistan imposing a $20 fee per pilgrim per visit continues to be a point of contention.

The Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, often referred to simply as Kartarpur Sahib, holds immense religious significance for Sikhs worldwide as it is the site where Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, spent the final 18 years of his life. Located in the Narowal District of Pakistan’s Punjab Province, the shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims from India, which is home to over 95% of the global Sikh population.

The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated on November 9, 2019, was a historic breakthrough in India-Pakistan relations. It allowed Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the revered Kartarpur Sahib without needing a visa. Initially, the agreement was valid for five years, and the renewal ensures continued access for the next half-decade.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the extension, stating, “It has been agreed between India and Pakistan through diplomatic channels to extend the validity of the Agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for a further period of five years.” The MEA also emphasized that this renewal will ensure uninterrupted operation of the corridor, enabling Sikhs to visit the holy site.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar shared the news on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), affirming the Indian government’s commitment to ensuring the Sikh community’s access to their sacred places. “India and Pakistan have renewed the agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for the next five years. PM @narendramodi’s government will continue to facilitate our Sikh community’s access to their holy sites,” Jaishankar wrote.

Despite the corridor’s renewal, the issue of Pakistan’s $20 fee per pilgrim per visit remains unresolved. This fee has been a source of frustration for many Indian pilgrims, who have consistently urged the Indian government to negotiate its removal. However, Islamabad has shown no signs of eliminating the charge, and India has yet to secure a breakthrough on this front.

In its statement, the MEA reiterated its stance on the issue, stating, “In view of the continued requests of the pilgrims regarding the removal of USD 20 service charge levied by Pakistan per pilgrim per visit, India has once again urged Pakistan to not levy any fee or charges on the pilgrims.”