India and Pakistan appeared to be on the same page after a long hiatus, with both capitals announcing on Thursday that the Kartarpur corridor would be opened to allow Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib for the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak next year.
The gurdwara in Narowal district of Pakistan — visible from the border through binoculars — stands at the resting place of the first Sikh guru. A corridor will make a day trip possible from India.
New Delhi first announced that the cabinet had cleared a corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.
Soon, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: “Pakistan has already conveyed to India its decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November....”
Two months ago, Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu had announced after a visit to Pakistan that the country was ready to give Indian pilgrims direct access to the gurdwara. Sidhu had then come under fire for hugging the Pakistan army chief, who he said had given him the assurance.
On Thursday, Sidhu was gracious. He tweeted: “I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet….”