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Kartarpur Corridor Remains Shut Over Security Concerns

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Security

India and its bilateral relationsSecurityIndian society - religious minorities

Why in news

The Centre has decided to keep the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor suspended due to security concerns, despite representations from Sikh religious groups for early reopening. This decision affects the movement of Sikh pilgrims between India and Pakistan and highlights ongoing tensions in bilateral relations.

Background

The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated in November 2019 to allow Indian Sikh pilgrims visa-free access to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev spent his final years. It was closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has not been reopened since.

Key facts

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  1. The Centre has received representations from Sikh religious groups and organisations for early reopening of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

  2. The corridor remains suspended due to the extant security scenario.

  3. The corridor was inaugurated in November 2019.

  4. It was closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  5. The corridor allows Indian Sikh pilgrims visa-free access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.

  6. The decision to keep it shut is based on security concerns.

Prelims pointers

  • Kartarpur Corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, Punjab (India) to Kartarpur in Pakistan.
  • The corridor was inaugurated on November 9, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
  • It is a visa-free corridor for Indian Sikh pilgrims.
  • The corridor was closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The gurdwara at Kartarpur is known as Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur.

Mains angles

  • Discuss the significance of the Kartarpur Corridor in promoting religious tourism and people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan.
  • Examine the security concerns that influence the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor and their impact on bilateral relations.
  • Analyze the role of religious minorities in India and the government's approach to their demands in the context of national security.
Kartarpur Corridor Remains Shut Over Security Concerns — UPSC Security · in5points