Kartarpur corridor: Fresh step in reconciliation between nations
Pakistan PM Imran Khan has said he is ready to engage in talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the most welcome step towards better relationships between both nations. Speaking to Indian reporters who had attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor project, Imran Khan has said encouraging terrorism activities would be detrimental for the future of Pakistan, which right now is working to establish peace.
India and Pakistan are neighbouring nations that should live in peace. This would help the nations prosper as well. While Pakistan needs to understand this, the war mongers in India need to comprehend with this truth as well. People of both nations do not want war since they are connected with each other at birth itself. But the issue is getting complicated thanks to politicians who care less for people’s concerns. The unrest between both nations is being beneficial for the others. Development and progress is possible only where there is peace and coexistence.
Talks have been on between both nations since long to establish peace but to no avail. India was connected to Lahore during Vajpayee’s time as PM, through Samjhota express. There were voices of dissidence within BJP over this. Now there is a new promise of improving relationships between both nations with Kartarpur Corridor. This project will connect Kartarpur Darbar Sahib Gurudwara which is a holy place of Sikhs.
The founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev had spent last 18 years of his life in Kartarpur. This place consolidated the Sikhs to establish Sikhism. People living in the border area feel this corridor would improve relationships between both countries. But this may not happen instantaneously. PM Modi comparing this project to the tearing down of Berlin wall is a bit of stretched imagination. Union minister Sushma Swaraj’s words that terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand, are a matter to ponder over. India has rejected the Pak invitation to participate in SAARC summit. Governments of both countries want the credit of Kartarpur corridor to themselves. Whatever be the case, improvement in bilateral relations will serve both countries well. A few issues need to be cleared about the corridor in this context. Would visitation rights be granted only during special occasions or can pilgrims visit Kartarpur round the year? Should they visit in groups or can they go alone? What would be the duration of their stay?
Though Kartarpur cannot sort out the issues pertaining to troubled relationship between both countries, this is a promising step towards better solution that can come up in the future. Hopefully this scheme that has been initiated to complete before the commemoration of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, should contribute to improving the relationships between two countries that are joined by their roots.
While the nation divided into two, the pilgrimage spaces were also torn away post partition in 1947 after India attained independence. Hence places of worship for people of both nations, exist in the other nation’s vicinity too. India and Pakistan have signed a treaty to allow issuance of visa for people of both countries to visit each other’s religious places such as Mandir and Dargah. The corridor right now is free from visa hassles and this would help the Indians to a large extent.
Imran Khan has been liberal in his stance towards allowing religious visits. He has said he would consider opening places of religious importance such as Sharada Peetha that exist in Pak Occupied parts of Kashmir. Administrative officer of Sringeri mutt had sought permission to visit Sharada Sarvajna Peetha in PoK. People on both sides need to act with positivity and respect to improve relations between the nations. The governments should facilitate peace through their decisions and this would reduce the animosity between both countries.
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Lost a good friend; void cannot be filled: Fadnavis mourns Ajit Pawar’s passing
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday described Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s tragic death in a plane crash as unbelievable, and said he had lost a good friend.
Fadnavis said “today” (January 28) will be a government holiday and there will be a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Pawar.
Ajit Pawar’s death has left a void that will never be filled, he said. “After working closely together, it is unbelievable that he is no more,” Fadnavis said.
Talking to reporters, Fadnavis described Pawar as a people’s leader who knew the state well and had a deep understanding of the issues in Maharashtra. He said it takes several years to build and establish such leadership.
Fadnavis said he had apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the tragedy. The CM said he had also spoken with Ajit Pawar’s cousin Supriya Sule and his son Parth Pawar.
“Both (Deputy CM) Eknath Shinde and I are leaving for Baramati now. Once their entire family gathers in Baramati, we will share further details,” he said.
The entire state stands by Pawar’s family and his party NCP in this hour of grief, he added.
Ajit Pawar, 66, and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The incident occurred when the plane carrying Pawar and others landed near Baramati, they said.
Several state BJP leaders, including Ashish Shelar, Ravindra Chavan and Chandrashekhar Bawankule, expressed deep grief over Pawar’s passing.
“This heart-wrenching incident has left the mind numb. Maharashtra has lost an experienced, dutiful and resolute leader,” state minister Shelar said.
Pawar left a distinct imprint on the state’s politics through his strong grip over administration, decisiveness and relentless drive for Maharashtra’s all-round progress. “Firmness, discipline, punctuality and tireless dedication were defining aspects of his personality,” he said.
BJP state president Ravindra Chavan said Maharashtra’s politics was unimaginable without Pawar. He said Pawar was known as a dynamic leader with a powerful command over administration and an unwavering focus on the state’s comprehensive development.
He said Pawar held the record for serving the longest tenure as deputy CM in the state’s history and left an indelible mark while handling key portfolios such as irrigation, energy and finance. “With his passing, Maharashtra has lost a firm, disciplined, punctual and indefatigable leader. This void can never be filled,” Chavan said.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule described Pawar as a senior friend and guide. “Even now, it is difficult to accept that this tragedy has really happened,” he said. Pawar would be remembered as a true people’s leader who gave clear direction and unstoppable momentum to Maharashtra’s all-round development, Bawankule said.
Recalling Pawar’s immense administrative experience, Bawankule said he had personally sought the NCP leader’s advice on several occasions.
“The loss of Ajitdada is not merely the departure of one leader; it is a profound loss for Maharashtra itself. The nation has lost a visionary statesman, and I have lost a dear elder friend and guide,” Bawankule said, adding that the reality of Pawar no longer being among them felt impossible to accept.
VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expresses grief over the demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in an aircraft crash. He says, “This morning, a very tragic incident occurred. In extremely unforeseen circumstances, the news of the unfortunate demise of our state’s deputy chief… pic.twitter.com/sKIKJ5FvRW
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
