Clarifying all speculations, India asserts Sikh pilgrims will carry passports visiting Kartarpur

New Delhi, November 7: As the two neighbouring countries India and Pakistan keep their differences aside for the most awaited Kartarpur corridor, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the Sikh pilgrims from India will carry their passports as valid identity proof. The MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar added that right before the inauguration, Pakistan is creating confusion. "Conflicting reports are coming in from Pakistan," he said.

 

Addressing the media two days before the most awaited Kartarpur Corridor inauguration, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that Pakistan is bringing in conflicting reports. He said, “Sometimes they say passport is needed and other times that it isn't. We think there are differences between their foreign office and other agencies. We have an MoU, it hasn't been changed and as per it, a passport is needed.”

Adding further he said that the bilateral agreement that was signed between India and Pakistan needs to be followed. “The MoU needs to be followed and no changes can be implemented unilaterally,” he said. Speaking further, he said, “We are aware that there is a bilateral document which has been signed between India and Pakistan which specifies the document to be carried by the pilgrims. Any amendment to existing MoU cannot be done unilaterally, it requires the consent of both the parties.”

With reports on passport requirement, Raveesh Kumar said that passports will be required to visit the Corridor. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 1 announced that his government had waived off two requirements for Indian pilgrims visiting Kartarpur - they won't need a passport just a valid ID and no advance booking was required.

In a tweet, he said, “For Sikhs coming for a pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived 2 requirements: i) they won't need a passport - just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on the day of inauguration & on Guruji's 550th birthday.”

Pakistan then back-tracked from its promise when Pakistan Army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor in a major U-turn announced that Indian Sikh pilgrims would require a passport.