India and Pakistan in constant touch over Kartarpur corridor issue

Islamabad, Jan 27: Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria has said that the two sides were in contact on the Kartarpur corridor issue and that New Delhi has already appointed a focal person for the purpose.

He made the remarks on January 26 night during an informal interaction with the media personnel invited to attend the reception to celebrate the 70th Republic Day of India.

Talking informally to reporters, the high commissioner said that the Indian government had consented to the basic points about Kartarpur corridor except for its zero-point.

"Because of [upcoming] elections in India, the bilateral political contacts might be difficult for now," he said, adding that; however, building trust was essential before any political dialogue between the two countries.

He said both the countries were in contact over Kartarpur corridor. "So many meetings have taken place on this matter [Kartarpur corridor]," Bisaria told the reporters. A delegation from Pakistani water commission will visit India tomorrow (Sunday)," he added.

The four villages identified for the 4.25 km stretch along Indo-Pak border in Gurdaspur district of Punjab are Chandu Nangal, Jaurian Khurd, Pakhoketahli Sahib and Dera Baba Nanak.

India and Pakistan are yet to finalise the security details and protocol. Broadly, however, there is agreement within the security infrastructure in New Delhi that arrangement will be like the Wagah-Attari border, a senior official in the Home Ministry who didn't want to be named said. For better access control, India wants visas for pilgrims visiting the shrine.

The Kartarpur corridor is a proposed border corridor between Pakistan and India, which will connect the Sikh shrines of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur to facilitate thousands of Sikh pilgrims visiting the country every year.