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Watch | Video presentation of planned Kartarpur Saheb Corridor; Pakistan, India hold second round of talks

The importance of ensuring a safe and secure environment for the pilgrims was underscored by the Indian side at the talks between top officials of the two countries held at Wagah on Pakistan’s side of the border.

Watch | Video presentation of planned Kartarpur Saheb Corridor; Pakistan, India hold second round of talks

The second round of talks with Pakistan on Kartarpur Corridor was held on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Progress was made in discussions on modalities and draft agreement. (Image: Twitter/@MEAIndia)

India and Pakistan on Sunday concluded the second round of technical-level talks on the modalities for the operationalisation of the Kartarpur Saheb Corridor at which Pakistan assured the Indian side that it would not allow anti-India activity at the Darbar Saheb Gurdwara.

Islamabad’s assurance came after New Delhi expressed fears that Pakistan-based individuals and organisations might try to disrupt the pilgrimage or play with the sentiments of pilgrims, according to a press release issued by the External Affairs Ministry.

The importance of ensuring a safe and secure environment for the pilgrims was underscored by the Indian side at the talks between top officials of the two countries held at Wagah on Pakistan’s side of the border. A dossier was also handed over to Pakistan by India to highlight its concerns.

The meeting discussed the modalities and draft agreement for the facilitation of pilgrims on the corridor, as also the infrastructure being developed there.

The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary at the Home Ministry and comprised officials of the Home, External Affairs, and Defence ministries as well as representatives of the Punjab Government and the National Highway Authorities of India.

New Delhi also sought consular presence in Kartarpur Saheb Gurdwara to be able to provide assistance to the pilgrims, if required.

India also conveyed to Pakistan concerns regarding the possible flooding of the Dera Baba Nanak and adjoining areas on the Indian side as a result of earth filled embankment road or a causeway that is proposed to be built by Pakistan on its side.

It shared detailed flood analysis with Pakistan to underscore these concerns. It was clearly conveyed that earth-filled embankment or a causeway will create problems for Indian people and should not be built even in the interim.

Details of the bridge that India is building on its side were shared, and the Pakistan side was urged to also build a bridge on its side. This would not only address the flooding related concerns but also ensure smooth, hassle-free, all-weather pilgrimage to the gurdwara throughout the year.

The Pakistan side agreed, in principle, to build a bridge at the earliest. Pending the construction of a bridge over the old Ravi creek by Pakistan on its territory, India offered to make interim arrangements for making the corridor operational in November 2019, given the historic importance of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

India urged Pakistan to take into consideration the sentiments of the pilgrims to have smooth, easy, unrestricted access throughout the year to be able to visit the gurdwara. In this context, India requested that 5,000 pilgrims be allowed to visit the gurdwara using the corridor every day given the expected high demand on the Indian side; 10,000 additional pilgrims be allowed to visit on special occasions; there should be no restrictions on the pilgrims in terms of their faith; not only Indian nationals but also the Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) holding OCI cards be allowed to use the corridor facility; the movement should be visa-free and Pakistan should reconsider charging any fee or introducing any permit system; pilgrims should be allowed to visit throughout the year all seven days a week; pilgrims should have the choice to visit as individuals or in a group; pilgrims should have the choice to visit on-foot on pilgrimage to the holy shrine; and provisions should be made for preparation and distribution of langar and prasad for the pilgrims.

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