Emotions blur borders as history marks Kartarpur opening

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first jatha led by Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, and prominent leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, from near the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur.

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Pilgrims visit Kartarpur, Saturday. (Express Photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)

A SURGE of emotions blurred the border Saturday, as over 500 Indian pilgrims crossed a 4.2-km stretch from Gurdaspur to the Durbar Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan’s Kartarpur to mark the historic opening of the corridor to one of the holiest shrines of the Sikh community.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first jatha led by Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, and prominent leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, from near the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur.

Kartarpur inauguration HIGHLIGHTS: Corridor inaugurated, 562 pilgrims visit on Day 1

In Kartarpur, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan opened the corridor and unveiled a kirpan as the symbol for the gurdwara complex in Narowal district. “It was a good beginning to normalise relations between the two countries. It is a big day for us,” said Manmohan Singh.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he was “overwhelmed to be a part of the first jatha as a humble devotee” and to see the fulfillment of a

70-year demand of the Sikh community.

As soon as the pilgrims crossed into Pakistan, they were greeted by Pakistan Rangers personnel. “It is as if we are meeting after the Partition. We are the same people. It’s just that two generations have passed with the pain of Partition,” a Pakistani immigration official told The Indian Express.

Welcoming the Indian pilgrims, including his cricketing friend and MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu, Imran Khan said that if the Kashmir issue was resolved, borders could open and trade would take place. “When I was elected Prime Minister, I told Modi that our biggest problem was poverty. I told him that if we open our borders, then trade will eliminate poverty,” he said.

Also Read | ‘You’ve won hearts’: Navjot Singh Sidhu to Imran Khan after Kartarpur inauguration

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“If Modi is listening to what I am saying, then I would like to tell him that peace comes from justice, injustice can only breed antagonism,” Khan said.

The Pakistan Prime Minister said that he could “see the happiness on the faces of Sikh pilgrims”. “Kartarpur is like Medina for the Sikh community. Think how a Muslim would feel if he were able to see Medina from

3 km away but not able to visit it,” Khan said.

Apart from the gurdwara itself, one of the main attractions for pilgrims from India was “Guru Nanak’s well”. “This is a corridor of hope. We have come from Italy to be a part of the first jatha,” said Jagwant Singh, who reached India on the government’s invitation.

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Delivering an emotional speech on the occasion, Sidhu thanked Imran Khan for fulfilling the promise made by him in ten months. He also said that Modi and Khan had put a salve on the wounds of the Sikhs.

Apart from Manmohan Singh and Amarinder Singh, the Indian delegation included Union ministers Harsimrat Badal and Hardeep Puri, and Punjab ministers and MLAs. It also included former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, and his son and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

On the Pakistan side, the ceremony was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistan Punjab province’s Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

In his speech, Qureshi said he wanted “this message of love from Kartarpur” to reach Kashmir, too.

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“The Berlin Wall came down on this day, November 9, and the LoC too can come down. PM Modi said thanks to Imran Khan for the Kartarpur corridor. As Foreign Minister, I say, Mr Modi you can also give a chance to Imran Khan to say thanks to you — by lifting curfew in Kashmir, by removing the communication blockade…,” he said.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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Kartarpur Corridor