Sikh Pilgrims Need to Carry Passports as ID Proof: MEA

New Delhi, November 7, 2019:

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday clarified that Sikh pilgrims from India need to carry their passports as valid proof of identity.

The clarification came up two days ahead of the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor.

MEA spokesperson Raveeh Kumar informed that the ministry has been receiving conflicting replies from Pakistan on whether Indian pilgrims will require passports to visit the Darbar Sahib shrine using the new facility. This is why the MEA has decided to ask the pilgrims to carry passport as ID proof.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries regarding the opening of the Kartarpur corridor for the Sikh pilgrims to visit the Darbar Sahib shrine.

An agreement was also signed between the two countries finalizing the modalities for visits by Indian pilgrims and India will stick to it.

Pakistan has also been sensitized about the security and protocol arrangements as well. We've requested them for security and medical arrangements for dignitaries," he added.

Despite Prime Minister Imran Khan said devotees will only be required to produce a valid identity proof, Pakistan Army said Indian pilgrims using the corridor will need a passport.

However, according to the agreement, passports will be needed.

The Kartarpur Corridor, will be inaugurated on Saturday by Prime Minister Imran Khan to commemorate Sikhism Founder Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary. The corridor provides a visa-free access to Indian Sikhs to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.