The first meeting between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalize the modalities for Kartarpur Corridor began at the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border this morning. The corridor will facilitate Indian pilgrims to visit the holy shrine of Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan. The meeting is being held in keeping with the government’s decision to operationalise the Kartarpur Corridor on the occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November this year. It also aims at meeting the long-pending public demand to have easy and smooth access to the Gurudwara.

India has identified 50 acres of land for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor. The Passenger Terminal Building complex, to be built in two phases, will be a state of the art green building and display murals and photographs based on rich Indian cultural values. The design of the complex is inspired by the symbol ‘Khanda’ which symbolizes values of oneness and humanity. The building will facilitate movement of nearly five thousand pilgrims.

Sources said, robust security system will be put in place in and around the Passenger Terminal Building. New Delhi maintains that security is of paramount importance for the Indian side and discussion with Pakistan is only related to pilgrimage to the Kartarpur Sahib.