Unintended Consequences of Religious Tourism on Cultural Harmony: A Case Study of Kartarpur Corridor and India-Pakistan Relations

Abstract

Religious tourism is vital to a country's economic progress and national strength.
South Asia is a major cultural and religious legacy area, especially for India and
Pakistan. This research concentrates on religious tourism and cultural peace in light
of the Kartarpur Corridor. Many Sikhs cannot reach Pakistan's Gurdwara Sahib.
Religious tourism promotes both faith and tourism. In conflict-ridden nations like
India and Pakistan, religious minorities suffer challenges. Indian Muslims and Sikhs
are examples. This paper also discusses India-Pakistan ties and their impact on Sikh
pilgrimages, especially for Indian Sikhs. The Kartarpur Corridor promises to make
visiting performing Gurdwaras easier and visa-free. Adoption of the Kartarpur
Corridor has been for good reasons. However, India-Pakistan relations and Kashmir
resurgence are stumbling barriers for the Kartarpur Corridor. When a country
wants to be powerful and look out for its own interests, it doesn't think about
unintended consequences, which are the irrational things it does instead of pursuing
its rational foreign policy goals.