In honor of the birth anniversary of Sikhism founder, Baba Guru Nanak, Indian politicians will visit Pakistan. Among them will be PM Khan’s friend Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. This will be Sidhu’s second visit to Pakistan.
The development comes soon after Pakistan reopened the Kartarpur Corridor for the birth anniversary celebration of Baba Guru Nanak. India shortly followed and announced that it will also open the corridor from its side. The Indian government had restricted travel through the corridor in March 2020 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Kartarpur Corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district.
Read more: Pakistan reopens Kartarpur corridor, will India do the same?
Important to note, Pakistan had been pressing India to reopen the corridor to facilitate the pilgrims, but it took time as India kept citing the pandemic. Moreover, many Indian politicians also urged the Modi government to reopen the corridor. Just two days earlier, India reopened the corridor.
As soon as the corridor opened, Sikh pilgrims from India came to Pakistan. So far, around 2500 Sikhs arrived for the occasion. According to reports, Indian politicians will also visit Pakistan to honor Baba Guru Nanak.
Indian Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, along with his ministers, and Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu will be part of the first delegation to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.
I urge GOI to reopen Kartarpur Corridor, to create a new Darshan Asthan for khule darshan didar for all and to cancel the 3 farm laws on Shri Guru Nanak’s Gurpurab, as its a day for reflection, rediscovery and reiteration of Gurus message of peace, harmony & universal brotherhood pic.twitter.com/7iZ9hcsl2g
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) November 16, 2021
Indian Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Om Prakash Soni will visit Pakistan too. Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Harish Chaudhry and eight members of the Indian Punjab Legislative Assembly will also be part of the delegation.
Read more: World watches Kartarpur Corridor keenly as it brings nations closer
Navjot Sidhu’s friendly ties with PM Khan
Friendly ties with Navjot Sidhu began when, in 2019, PM Khan formally inaugurated Kartarpur Corridor at a colorful ceremony as part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak, paving the way for Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit one of their holiest sites in Pakistan without requiring a visa.
After the Kartarpur initiative by Pakistan, Navjot Sidhu immensely appreciated PM Khan for making things easier for the Sikh community.
Sidhu not only heaped praise but he also credited PM Khan for single-handedly opening the Sikh pilgrimage route.
Read more: Muslim voters should unite and uproot Modi from Delhi: Navjot Sidhu
Since then, Navjot Sidhu and PM Khan share a special bond. Moreover, a heartwarming video of PM Khan asking for the whereabouts of Sidhu also went viral.
In the video PM Khan while in the shuttle, asked for Sidhu, saying, “Achcha hamaara woh Sidhu kidhar hai? Main keh raha hoon hamaara Sidhu.” The video garnered appreciation on social media.