Giving an inch won’t pinch

Such is the degree of mistrust between the neighbours that even an issue that carries the potential to set in place a template for cordiality and mutual accommodation — away from the regular India-Pakistan flare-ups and breakdown in talks — is made to negotiate bump after difficult bump. The Kartarpur corridor may well meet its deadline, but the process to come to an agreement on the contours has not been without rancour, something a religious cause such as this could have done without. That perhaps is the nature of the relationship, to test each other all the time, without giving an inch.

New Delhi has clearly articulated its security concerns, and when Islamabad chooses to reserve a place on the table for a proclaimed pro-Khalistani, knowing well that the only thing it would achieve is to rankle the Indians, the task ahead gets tougher. Removing Gopal Singh Chawla from the committee on the eve of the second round of talks, which got delayed from its scheduled date of April 2 because of his presence, means little then as the damage has already been done. Why include him in the first place? That said, the corridor holds huge significance for the Sikh community and it is incumbent upon the governments to ensure as hassle-free a pilgrimage as possible. Sunday’s in-principle concurrence by Pakistan to allow visa-free, year-long travel to Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, increasing the daily intake substantially and not allowing anti-India activity, therefore, is a welcome development.

The first round of corridor talks took place in March, not many days after Pakistan fully closed its airspace on February 27 following the Balakot airstrikes. It has not lifted the ban on Indian flights since, with a review on July 26, resulting in huge losses to the Indian aviation industry. Islamabad wants India to withdraw its fighter planes in forward positions. That won’t happen. Some things are difficult to change, what is not is extending basic courtesies to the people of both countries. Especially, for a cause like Kartarpur.