Jahangir Unintended Consequences of Religious Tourism Sublime Haro Journal of Academic Research (SHAJAR), Vol. 4, Issue 1 (2022, Spring), 55-69. Page 55 Unintended Consequences of Religious Tourism on Cultural Harmony: A Case Study of Kartarpur Corridor and India-Pakistan Relations* Asifa Jahangir 1 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. Keywords: India, Pakistan, Muslims, Sikh, Kartarpur Corridor, Gurdwara Sahib, religious tourism INTRODUCTION Religion and culture are among the most important components of national power. It has a significant impact on how nations define their policies. Hans J. Morgenthau argues in his book "Politics Among Nations" that the policies of nations are intended for power struggles (1948, 290). While analyzing Morgenthau’s approach, there are some basic elements of a state that enhance the country's power struggle. These include religion, ideology, population, culture, language, military, leadership, technology, governance, economy, etc. Such elements pave the way for the development and implementation of effective policies and strategies by a state, in order to achieve its national interest through peaceful means. Religion and culture are considered integral parts of policy- making. The ideology of Hindutva, promoted by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is a case in point. International politics is entirely based on the concept of the struggle for power, but at the same time, it also leads to unintended consequences, faced by the nations of the conflicting states. The uncertain crisis between the two states is bad for both countries, especially when it comes to religious exchange visits. Holy places do exist for religious practices across the globe. It can be located either within the borders or outside the borders. The followers do visit their holy places to perform pilgrimages, no matter the locations. For instance, the holy places for Muslims are located in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, where every Muslim visits to perform pilgrimage. Similarly, the Sikh community visits Gurdwaras, their holy places located in Pakistan. Millions of Sikhs do travel to Pakistan every year. Pilgrimages 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Government Graduate College for Women, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Email: asifajahangir2327@gmail.com