Calls Grow in India to Reopen Kartarpur Corridor Following Ceasefire with Pakistan
New Delhi, May 19, 2025 — Following the recent ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India after days of heightened hostilities, voices in India are increasingly urging the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor, a vital passage allowing Sikh devotees to visit the revered shrine of Guru Nanak in Pakistan.
The demands have gained momentum after India permitted freight trucks carrying perishable goods from Afghanistan to cross into India via the Wagah-Attari border, signaling a partial normalization of cross-border movement. The Wagah-Attari border had been shut following the Pahalgam attack, with both India and Pakistan closing the crossing in retaliation.
Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, the officiating head of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has joined calls to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, emphasizing the corridor’s role in fostering peace and religious harmony between the two countries. He stated, “The atmosphere between India and Pakistan is becoming more peaceful, and keeping the corridor closed is unjustified, especially for Sikh devotees who pray daily for access to their sacred gurdwaras.”
Since its inauguration in November 2019, the Kartarpur Corridor has allowed thousands of Sikh pilgrims visa-free access from India to the holy Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal, Pakistan — the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The corridor stretches 4.7 kilometers, connecting Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in India’s Punjab to the shrine in Pakistan.
Despite Pakistan keeping its side of the corridor open, India suspended pilgrimages on May 7 due to escalating tensions after the Pahalgam attack. Around 150 Sikh pilgrims at the Dera Baba Nanak Integrated Check Post were turned back, highlighting the impact of diplomatic strains on religious ties.
Locals remain hopeful. Baba Sukhdeep Singh Bedi, a descendant of Guru Nanak residing in Dera Baba Nanak, expressed optimism: “The recent ceasefire is welcome news. We struggled for many years to see the corridor become a reality.”
Wagah-Attari Border Trade Resumes Amid Political Thaw
While the Kartarpur Corridor remains closed, the Indian government has authorized the entry of 162 freight trucks from Afghanistan through the Wagah-Attari border. These trucks carry semi-perishable goods critical for Afghan trade.
An official government document confirmed that Indian Customs have arranged to facilitate cargo movement for these trucks. Local traders, such as Mukesh Sidhwani from Amritsar, welcomed the decision, calling it a “huge relief” that would prevent significant financial losses due to delays.
Nearly 90 percent of India’s trade with Afghanistan relies on the Wagah-Attari border, which remains the only approved land route for Indo-Pak trade. This development follows Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s first-ever dialogue with Afghanistan’s interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, reaffirming India’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s development.
Summary
The ceasefire between India and Pakistan has renewed hopes for reopening the Kartarpur Corridor, a crucial spiritual and cultural link for Sikh pilgrims. Meanwhile, limited cross-border trade via Wagah-Attari is resuming, signaling cautious steps toward improved bilateral ties.
