India is likely to urge Pakistan to not use the Kartarpur shrine for propaganda on Khalistan, sources said in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The issue is part of the security concerns that is being considered by the Indian side as paramount topic for the bilateral talks that will be held in Attari on Thursday.
“We would like to see that Pakistan doesn’t use the presence of pilgrims from India in Kartarpur shrine for propaganda purposes on the Khalistan issue,” said a source aware of India’s plans for the talks that will finalise the details of the religious corridor project on the ground.
Vast facility for pilgrims on the Indian side
The project will include a vast facility for the pilgrims on the Indian side, which will be ready to host at least 5,000 pilgrims on any given day. It was learnt that India will also prepare for a “surge” in pilgrims' flow during special and festive seasons. Accordingly, facilities will be created for at least 10,000 more pilgrims.
India has acquired 50 acres for the facility and it will be built in the “Khanda” style, which represents oneness of the humanity.
The Indian and Pakistani delegations will deliberate on passport and visa related issues.
The Indian position, the sources said, was one of making the gurdwara, one of the holiest shrines associated with Sikhism, available to a “optimal” number of people. “We are looking for visa-free travel facilities for 5,000 pilgrims in the first phase itself,” said a source.
The talks will also include discussions on a mismatch between the alignment of India's and Pakistan's plans. The facility that India will build will include 54 immigration counters for processing the necessary papers.
