Sushma Swaraj: Kartarpur corridor not connected with Pakistan

Hyderabad, Nov 28 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Wednesday said the Kartarpur corridor initiative isn't connected with the dialogue process with Pakistan and talks can start the moment Islamabad stops terror activities in India.

India has been asking for a corridor, which will encourage sans visa travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, for a long time and she said she was glad that Pakistan had the first time responded positively.

"In any case, that does not imply that bilateral talks will begin just on this," she stated, adding that terror and talks can't go into a single unit.

Swaraj, who is battling here in front of the Telangana elections on December 7, was addressing a press conference.

"The minute Pakistan stops terrorist activities in India, the dialogue can begin however the exchange isn't associated with just the Kartarpur passage," she said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will on Wednesday establish the foundation stone for the much-anticipated passage connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur - the last resting spot of Sikh confidence organizer Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak hallowed place in India's Gurdaspur area.

Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine.

The Kartarpur corridor is required to be finished within six months.