Kartarpur Corridor: US Encourages Talks Between India and Pakistan, Says the Move Would Increase People-to-People Ties Between the Two Countries
Morgan Ortagus, US Department of State Spokesperson on Wednesday said that the US encourages the move as it increases people-to-people ties between the two nations. "We encourage it. Anything that increases people-to-people ties between India and Pakistan is something that we are incredibly supportive of", Ortagus said.
Washington, July 17: The United States welcomed the Kartarpur Corridor initiative by India and Pakistan to facilitate Sikh pilgrims. Morgan Ortagus, US Department of State Spokesperson on Wednesday said that the US encourages the move as it increases people-to-people ties between the two nations. "We encourage it. Anything that increases people-to-people ties between India and Pakistan is something that we are incredibly supportive of", Ortagus said. India, Pakistan Narrow Down Differences on Kartarpur Corridor.
On Sunday, India and Pakistan narrowed down their differences on Kartarpur corridor and said that they have agreed to the majority of modalities to be finalised for the operational of Sikh pilgrimage passage. Both the sides also agreed to hold another meeting to formally conclude the agreement. Spokesperson of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign affairs, Mohammed Faisal said that 80 per cent of the agreement has been finalised. The meeting at Wagah in Pakistan also reviewed the progress reached in the three rounds of a technical meeting held in March, April and May 2019. 1st India-Pakistan Meeting on Kartarpur Sahib Corridor ‘Constructive’, Says Pakistan Foreign Ministry.
Here's the tweet:
The Kartarpur corridor along the India-Pakistan border is three kilometres away from Gurdaspur in Punjab. Once the corridor is opened, it will allow Sikh pilgrims direct access to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev passed away in 1539.
On Sunday, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh welcomed Pakistan’s decision to remove the requirement of a separate permit system to allow pilgrims to travel through the historic Kartarpur corridor. The Chief Minister requested for the waiver of passport to facilitate devotees from the rural areas of the state to visit the holy place. He urged the Central government to engage even more closely with Pakistan to secure their agreement on other demands he has been putting forth.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2019 09:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).