Attari: India Thursday sought visa-free access from Pakistan for 5,000 pilgrims per day to the historic Sikh shrine in Kartarpur.
This was conveyed to the Pakistani delegation at a meeting here to discuss the opening of a planned corridor for pilgrims between Punjab’s Gurdaspur district and Kartarpur Sahib across the border.
From our side, we have pressed for at least 5,000 pilgrims per day to be allowed to visit the holy Sikh shrine in the initial phase, S C L Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, told reporters.
This was the first meeting between an Indian and a Pakistani delegation since tensions between the two countries spiked after the terror attack in Pulwama, followed by retaliatory air strikes.
Das said Delhi wanted access for both Indians and people of Indian origin to the shrine, located where Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak Dev spent the last years of his life.
We have also strongly urged them to allow the visit of pilgrims for all seven days a week without any break, he said after the meeting.
India emphasised that the corridor should be absolutely visa-free, Das said. There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any documentation or procedure, he added.
India also wants Pakistan to allow devotees who want to travel on foot to the shrine across the border.
A statement earlier said the first meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to discuss the modalities for opening the Kartarpur corridor was held in a “cordial environment”.
The Indian delegation was led by S C L Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Pakistani team was headed by Mohammad Faisal, Director General (SA & SAARC) of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement said.
“Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor,” the statement said.
Technical experts from both sides discussed the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor.
Also read: With Kartarpur, Punjab has forced Narendra Modi to make another U-turn on Pakistan
India made quite a few big mistakes dealing with China and Pakistan, a few examples are:
1. Nehru donating VETO POWER to China, while it was being offered to India.
2. Keep on trading with China.
3. Not being strong on stopping Chinese to continue building routes to a Sea Port being built on Balochistan’s territory while access roads are
being built on Indian territory
4. Why did India release about 100,000 Paki soldiers after defeating Pakistan in Bangladesh war.
5. Why Kargil war conquered land wad given back to Pakis.
6. Why India gave back the 1965 wars conquered areas(including Lahore) back to Pakistan.
Plus, Plus and plus follies by India– is it generosity or Stupidness on India ( mainly Congress)?
When a snake attacks any one it should not get mercy freedom– BUT IT’s HEAD SHOULD BE CRUSHED and burnt.