Can kartarpur heal

Can kartarpur heal

Amid tensions, a peace corridor opens.

The signing of the Kartarpur Corridor agreement between India and Pakistan raises fresh hopes of a detente amid relations on a continuous downward spiral. The agreement, allowing visa-free travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib located 4.5 km inside Pakistan, is welcome. Despite hostility on the Line of Control and Pakistan’s diplomatic offensive, India has ignored the provocations and pursued the opening of the corridor in the interest of its Sikh community.

Such overtures signify the possibility of peace if support for terror would end. Given the spiritual and religious salience of the pilgrimage its sanctity must not be sullied in any manner. Pakistan must refrain from its penchant for offering platforms to Khalistani elements as that would go against the spirit of peace and amity that this rare moment accords both countries. The agreement leaves enough room for suspension of pilgrimage on account of exigencies and for termination on one month’s advance notice.

These provisions do raise worries that the pilgrimage can be affected by political developments between the two countries. India has steadfastly taken the line that talks can follow only when Pakistan’s terror apparatus is dismantled. India has for long allowed Pakistani pilgrims to visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah and some other important Muslim shrines, except during spiking of tensions. Kartarpur, owing to the higher volume of pilgrims that will use the corridor, can become a staging point for greater diplomatic engagement. But Pakistan must eschew its knack of asking for engagement and then sabotaging it. Kartarpur, thanks to Guru Nanak, is one of the enduring links between the subcontinent’s warring neighbours. Where the recent past divides, history can unite. India and Pakistan must seize more of these opportunities for cultural exchanges.