logo
Global Sikh Council urges immediate reopening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

Global Sikh Council urges immediate reopening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

Chandigarh, July 17 (UNI) Amid the continuing ceasefire between India and Pakistan, the Global Sikh Council (GSC) has strongly urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, which has remained closed since May 7 following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent cross-border tensions.
In a statement released today, GSC President Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur and Secretary Harjeet Singh Grewal expressed concern over India's unilateral and indefinite suspension of pilgrimages to the sacred Sikh shrine, while Pakistan continues to keep its side of the corridor operational. The closure has left thousands of Sikh devotees worldwide disheartened, unable to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur – the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, it said.
Dr. Kaur emphasized that the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was created as a symbol of peace and religious harmony, and it should not fall victim to political discord. 'Religious access should not be a casualty of political tensions,' she said in a written appeal to the Indian Prime Minister.
'The Kartarpur Corridor is not just a border route — it is a spiritual artery for the Sikh community across the globe. With peace now prevailing, there is no justification for its continued closure,' the GSC statement read.
The Council urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs to take immediate steps to restore cross-border pilgrimages. 'Sri Kartarpur Sahib is beyond politics. Its closure on administrative or political grounds deeply hurts the spiritual sentiments of Sikhs around the world,' the statement added.
Calling for unified support, the Global Sikh Council has appealed to Sikh institutions, the Punjab government, Members of Parliament, and civil society to press for the reopening of the corridor. The GSC maintains that resuming pilgrimages would reaffirm religious freedom and help foster international goodwill.
UNI NB RN
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India and the UK sign Free Trade Agreement: Key highlights
India and the UK sign Free Trade Agreement: Key highlights

Mint

time27 minutes ago

  • Mint

India and the UK sign Free Trade Agreement: Key highlights

India and the United Kingdom have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aimed at significantly improving the market access and boosting bilateral trade by around USD 34 billion annually. The FTA was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to London. After signing the Free Trade Agreement with India, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, 'A landmark deal with India means jobs, investment and growth here in the UK.' 'It creates thousands of British jobs, unlocks new opportunities for businesses and puts money in the pockets of working people. That's our Plan for Change in action.' This is a breaking report, more details are being added

India-US trade deal: What's holding back the agreement and risks of further delays? Explained
India-US trade deal: What's holding back the agreement and risks of further delays? Explained

Mint

time27 minutes ago

  • Mint

India-US trade deal: What's holding back the agreement and risks of further delays? Explained

India-US trade deal: The Indian stock market is navigating rough terrain, in contrast to Western markets, particularly the US, which is hitting record highs as progress on trade deals with major partners has eased earlier investor concerns about rising inflation and its potential spillover effects on the world's largest economy. As the US signed trade deals with major economies, with the latest being Japan and the Philippines after inking deals with Indonesia and Vietnam, which are key economies in the Asia region, the discussion with India is still ongoing. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, an official announcement continues to be delayed. Earlier, the potential deal was expected to be announced before July 09, after the White House and Trump himself stated that an agreement with India would be finalized. However, the White House is reportedly demanding greater access for agriculture, dairy, and genetically modified (GM) products, which is delaying the signing of the deal, a demand New Delhi is reportedly denying in order to protect farmers. In addition, India is seeking tariff rates lower than those granted to other Asian nations that have already signed deals with the US, in a bid to gain a competitive edge. Meanwhile, the delay in concluding the deal is also dampening sentiment in the Indian stock market, with investors awaiting full clarity before the next leg of the rally, resulting in frontline indices trading in a tight range for most of July. According to Harshal Dasani, Business Head at INVasset, markets are currently grappling with three simultaneous overhangs—uncertain US trade policy, relentless FII selling, and uninspiring Q1 earnings. While the US recently signed a trade deal with the Philippines, talks with India remain stuck. Dasani highlights Washington's dual stance: on one hand, it's pursuing selective trade alignments; on the other, it's threatening up to 500% tariffs on countries trading with Russia. This, he explains, puts India in a complex position, facing scrutiny for importing discounted Russian oil while still being courted for strategic cooperation. "But Washington cannot afford to alienate both India and China. The longer it delays a decisive stance, the closer India, China, and Russia move, which could be a geopolitical nightmare for the US. Meanwhile, markets dislike ambiguity. Investors are pricing in volatility not because of bad news, but due to the absence of clear direction," said Dasani. Dasani further adds that a tariff hike below 20% on Indian goods might even be digested positively by the markets, while anything higher could trigger a knee-jerk reaction. The Street is well aware the US cannot sustain such elevated tariffs without inviting domestic backlash or triggering inflationary pressure. He also points out that FIIs have already pulled out over ₹ 22,185 crore in July alone, a move driven largely by a strengthening dollar and elevated US bond yields, adding to the pressure on Indian equities. Q1 earnings, he says, have been mixed, with autos and banks under pressure while healthcare and capital goods have shown resilience. In this environment, positioning in domestic, policy-linked themes like defense, railways, and power, along with selective accumulation in small caps, remains the best course. Clarity—not comfort—will drive the next leg, he stated. Sankhanath Bandyopadhyay, Economist at Infomerics Valuation and Ratings, said, "The delay in finalising a US-India trade deal underscores the complexity of balancing economic pragmatism with domestic sensitivities. For India, agriculture and dairy aren't just trade sectors; they are the backbone of rural livelihoods, impacting over 700 million people." Meanwhile, the US is pushing hard for access to India's high-tariff markets, especially in the agri- and digital sectors, while raising tariffs on Indian steel, aluminum, and auto exports. Unlike recent US trade partners like the UK or Vietnam, Sankhanath pointed out that India is not willing to concede on politically critical sectors and is instead negotiating from a position of strategic autonomy. However, he cautioned that prolonged delays in concluding the deal could carry risks, which include lost export competitiveness, retaliatory tariffs, and a dent in the broader U.S.-India strategic alignment, including tech and defense cooperation. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

India's average tariff on British products will drop from 15% to 3%, says UK govt
India's average tariff on British products will drop from 15% to 3%, says UK govt

Indian Express

time29 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

India's average tariff on British products will drop from 15% to 3%, says UK govt

Ahead of the India-UK trade deal signing ceremony on Thursday, the UK government said India's average tariff on British products will drop from 15 per cent to 3 per cent. This is expected to result in a nearly 60 per cent increase in UK exports to India in the long run, amounting to an additional $20 billion in exports. New Delhi, often criticised for being a high-tariff country — especially by US President Donald Trump — has started reducing tariffs for Western trading partners to improve economic integration and boost exports, particularly in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and leather goods. 'A reduction in tariffs, combined with a reduction in regulatory barriers to trade between the UK and India, is estimated to increase UK exports to India by nearly 60 per cent in the long run — this is equivalent to an additional £15.7 billion of UK exports to India when applied to projections of future trade in 2040. It will also increase bilateral trade by nearly 39 per cent in the long run, equivalent to £25.5 billion a year, when compared to 2040 projected levels of trade in the absence of an agreement,' the UK government said in a statement. As many as 26 British companies have secured new business in India, the statement added. 'Airbus and Rolls-Royce will soon begin delivering Airbus aircraft — with over half powered by Rolls-Royce engines — to major Indian airlines as part of around £5 billion worth of contracts recently agreed,' it said. The UK already imports £11 billion worth of goods from India, but liberalised tariffs on Indian goods will make it easier and cheaper to buy Indian products. For businesses, this could mean potential savings when importing components and materials used in sectors such as advanced manufacturing or luxury and consumer goods. Meanwhile, India will benefit from tariff elimination on approximately 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of trade value — offering opportunities to boost bilateral trade between India and the UK, according to the Commerce and Industry Ministry. The pact includes chapters on goods, services, innovation, government procurement, and intellectual property rights. The two countries have also concluded negotiations on the Double Contribution Convention Agreement, or social security pact, which would help avoid double contributions to social security funds by Indian professionals working for a limited period in Britain. However, talks on the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) are still ongoing. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store