2 weeks ago
MEA Cites Security Concerns as SGPC Seeks More Kartarpur Visas
The Kartarpur Corridor is a route that helps Sikh pilgrims visit an important religious site in Pakistan.
India says the route is still closed because of security concerns.
The closure began on 7 May 2025.
Sikh leaders from the SGPC want the route reopened.
They also want Pakistan to give visas to more pilgrims.
More than 7,500 people have reportedly applied for the November 2026 religious celebration.
Pakistan normally gives visas to about 1,800 pilgrims.
The SGPC has asked both Pakistan and India to help more people make the pilgrimage.
The MEA said Kartarpur Corridor services remain suspended because of the prevailing security situation.
The corridor was suspended from 7 May 2025, according to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
An SGPC delegation met Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi to seek more pilgrim visas.
More than 7,500 Sikh devotees reportedly submitted passports for travel to Pakistan for the November 2026 Prakash Gurpurab.
The SGPC said Pakistan usually issues about 1,800 pilgrim visas and urged approval for all applicants.
- Who
- The Ministry of External Affairs, the SGPC, Sikh pilgrims, and Pakistani officials are involved.
- What
- The SGPC is seeking more visas for Sikh pilgrims and the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, while the MEA says the corridor remains suspended.
- Where
- The SGPC delegation met Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi; the pilgrimage sites and corridor are in Pakistan.
- When
- The corridor suspension began on 7 May 2025; the visa request concerns the November 2026 Prakash Gurpurab.
- Why
- The MEA cites the prevailing security situation, while the SGPC says many devotees want to attend the upcoming religious observance.
SGPC and Pilgrim Advocates
Ministry of External Affairs
Reopening the corridor
SGPC and Pilgrim Advocates
The SGPC called for the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor to be immediately reopened to meet devotees’ demand for pilgrimage access.
Ministry of External Affairs
The MEA said corridor services remain suspended because the existing security environment continues.
Number of pilgrim visas
SGPC and Pilgrim Advocates
The SGPC urged Pakistan to make special arrangements to issue visas to all more than 7,500 applicants rather than limiting approvals to the usual quota.
Ministry of External Affairs
The MEA emphasized that Sikh pilgrimage travel is governed by bilateral arrangements between India and Pakistan.
Government intervention
SGPC and Pilgrim Advocates
The SGPC asked New Delhi to intervene with Islamabad to facilitate the maximum possible number of visa approvals.
Ministry of External Affairs
The MEA’s stated response focused on existing bilateral arrangements and the continuing security situation.
Key facts
- Corridor status
- Kartarpur Corridor services remain suspended.
- Suspension date
- 7 May 2025.
- Applicants
- More than 7,500 Sikh devotees reportedly submitted passports to the SGPC.
- Usual visa quota
- Pakistan normally issues visas for around 1,800 pilgrims.
- Upcoming observance
- Prakash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in November 2026.
- SGPC delegation
- Led by President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami.
- Pakistani official met
- Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich.
Quotes
Randhir Jaiswal
MEAS Spokesperson
“We also have seen some reports about the meeting that you just talked about. Every year, as you know, there is a bilateral arrangement between the two countries under which our jathas, Sikh jathas, visit pilgrimage sites in Pakistan.”
republicworld.com
“Over 7,500 Sikh devotees have submitted their passports to the SGPC office for travel to Pakistan for the upcoming November 2026 Prakash Gurpurab.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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