Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri has welcomed the decision by India and Pakistan to extend the validity of the Agreement on the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for an additional five years. He noted that the decision is rooted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and his deep affection for the Sikh Sangat, as well as his respect for the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
Recalling his participation in key moments related to the corridor, Puri stated that he was present at the groundbreaking ceremony in 2018 and was also part of the first Jattha, which was flagged off by PM Modi in November 2019 to offer prayers at the Gurudwara Sahib.
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In a post on X, Puri wrote, “Big news for Sikh Sangat! Guided by the vision of PM @narendramodi Ji and his immense affection for members of Sikh Sangat & respect towards our religious feelings, the validity of the Agreement to facilitate the visit of pilgrims from India to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur through the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has been extended further for five more years.”
Big news for Sikh Sangat!
Guided by the vision of PM @narendramodi Ji and his immense affection for members of Sikh Sangat & respect towards our religious feelings, the validity of the Agreement to facilitate the visit of pilgrims from India to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib… https://t.co/VoHPj5FmGs pic.twitter.com/dZlrzGBc3K— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) October 22, 2024
He further added, “By divine will of Baba Nanak Ji, I was fortunate to be present during the groundbreaking ceremony of the corridor in 2018 and was blessed to be a part of the first Jattha flagged off by PM Modi Ji to pay obeisance at the Gurudwara Sahib in November 2019.”
Puri highlighted the prime minister’s involvement in organizing significant celebrations of Sikh history, including the 550th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 350th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and the 400th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He also mentioned the removal of GST from Langar Seva and FCRA approval for donations.
“In addition to the opening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib corridor, PM Modi Ji also took keen personal interest in organising befitting celebration of 550th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, 350th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, 400th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji & removal of GST from Langar Seva & FCRA approval for donations,” Puri wrote.
Puri also expressed gratitude for Modi’s efforts in securing justice for victims of the 1984 violence and providing safe refuge to Sikhs fleeing Kabul with the Holy Swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. “Showing compassion & resolve, PM Modi Ji also took measures which ensured justice for victims of 1984 violence, and also offered safe refuge to Sikhs who wanted to escape the violence in Kabul with the Holy Swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. PM Modi Ji also honoured our sentiments by declaring December 26 as Veer Baal Diwas,” he added.
Puri’s statement was made in response to a post by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on X regarding the extension of the validity of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement for another five years.
Jaishankar had written, “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.”
The agreement, initially signed on October 24, 2019, between India and Pakistan, allows pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan’s Narowal district through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. The extension ensures the uninterrupted operation of the Corridor for pilgrims from India to visit the holy site.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a press release confirmed the extension: “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 press release also reiterated India’s request for Pakistan to waive the USD 20 service charge levied on pilgrims per visit: “In view of the continued requests of 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.”
Earlier in June, Pakistan issued 509 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, the first king of the Sikh empire in the 19th century, popularly known as ‘Sher-e-Punjab.’
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