India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has recently asserted its positive stance in engaging in discussions with Pakistan to upgrade their 1974 Joint Protocol on Religious Pilgrimages. This development aims to facilitate air travel and expand the range of shrines accessible by pilgrims from both nations. Additionally, the government reopened the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara corridor leading to Pakistan, providing Sikh pilgrims an opportunity for cross-border travel after it was temporarily shut down due to Covid-19 for over 20 months.
The 1974 Joint Protocol
The 1974 Joint Protocol is a crucial agreement between India and Pakistan enabling pilgrimage visits between these two countries regardless of religious or sectarian differences. The final selection of shrines eligible for visitation under the protocol arises from mutual correspondence and may be revised eventually to include more locations. Presently, the protocol enables visits to five Muslim shrines in India and up to 15 shrines in Pakistan, most of which are gurdwaras.
Every year, each country can permit up to 20 groups to partake in such religious travels. These numbers can be adjusted periodically based on mutual agreements. The protocol stresses the importance of maintenance and preservation of the sanctity of places of worship included in the agreement. Visitors traveling under the protocol are granted Visitor Category visas.
Recent Exchanges on Nuclear Installations
In a significant step towards reinforcing peace and cooperation, India and Pakistan recently exchanged lists of their respective nuclear installations. This exchange provided a transparency mechanism that contributes to building trust between these two nuclear-capable nations.
Kartarpur Corridor Development
Reopening the Kartarpur Corridor holds significant importance for Sikh pilgrims. Serving as a passageway between the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan’s Narowal district and Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of India’s Punjab province, the corridor enhances cross-border mobility for pilgrims. The corridor holds historical relevance as it was constructed to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th birth anniversary, who is the founder of Sikhism, on 12th November 2019.
Looking Forward
Positive developments like these open up new avenues for improving ties and fostering religious and cultural understanding between the two nations. By facilitating more pilgrimage visits, the upgraded protocol could serve as a stepping stone towards building a peaceful and cooperative relationship between India and Pakistan.
