Dal Khalsa Welcomes Open Letter for India-Pakistan Peace
Dal Khalsa, a prominent Sikh political organization, has welcomed an open letter signed by 116 prominent figures from India and Pakistan, calling for the normalization of relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The letter, addressed to Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, urges immediate resumption of dialogue, reopening of trade and transport links, and expansion of people-to-people contacts.
Addressing the media in Amritsar on Thursday, Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh described the initiative as "a step in the right direction at the right time." He expressed hope that better sense would prevail on both sides and specifically welcomed the letter's appeal for reopening the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, a key pilgrimage site for Sikhs.
Reopening of Attari-Wagah Border and Regional Economic Growth
Kanwar Pal Singh also urged both governments to reopen the Attari-Wagah border crossing to facilitate pilgrimage, trade, and economic growth in the region. The Attari-Wagah border, the only land border crossing between India and Pakistan, has been closed since August 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
The open letter, signed by 61 individuals from India and 55 from Pakistan, includes moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, two former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, and a former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) who headed the Kashmir Division in the Prime Minister's Office during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. The signatories called for discussions on Jammu and Kashmir, including revisiting the framework negotiated between 2004 and 2007, along with measures aimed at de-escalation and demilitarization.
Significance in the Context of Article 370 Abrogation
Kanwar Pal Singh noted that the appeal assumes significance in the backdrop of the Central Government's abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. He urged a change in India's approach towards Pakistan, saying the two countries should work to end prevailing tensions and gradually reduce hostilities along the Punjab border.
He maintained that lasting stability and prosperity in South Asia depend on peaceful relations between India and Pakistan. He added that peace in Punjab is closely linked to improved ties between the two countries and expressed hope that the state would continue to play a significant role in promoting regional harmony.
