n recent years, the India-Pakistan Border at Suchitgarh, near Sialkot, has gained popularity as a tourist destination. Situated 28 kilometres from Jammu in India and approximately 11 kilometres from Sialkot in Pakistan, the border post has been developed by the state tourism department to attract tourists. The United Nations (UN) formally launched the Suchitgarh Border Development Project to promote harmony and reduce tensions between the peoples of India and Pakistan. Tourists from the two countries are allowed to interact at the border. Some visitors from outside Jammu and Kashmir too flock to the post.

Rangers officials say a significant number of tourists visit the site every Sunday. They say they try to maintain a welcoming atmosphere for them. According to Greater Kashmir, the border post draws 1,500 to 2,000 visitors on Sundays. The Tourism Department and Rangers have maintained some rooms previously part of the Jammu Sialkot Railway Station. These rooms also celebrate the careers of Defence and Ranger officers who have served in the area.

The Suchitgarh village is located in Sultanpur Lodhi tehsil of Kapurthala district in Indian Punjab. The border village has seen the ravages of several wars and disruptions of lives of its residents. The development of the Sachitgarh border as a tourist destination has reduced border clashes in the area.

Despite the strained relations between India and Pakistan, the meeting point at the Suchitgarh border often witnesses a display of peace and harmony as people from the two countries greet one another with smiles. In fact, the border post has now become a popular destination for tourists from several parts of the two countries. Every year on August 14, September 6 and March 23, the Rangers organise a grand parade at the border. The border installations are decorated with national flags and speeches are delivered.

Four years ago, my friend Shahid told me about the Suchitgarh border. He had already visited the place with his family and highly recommended it. He also shared useful information on the best route the place.

For some people the experience of visiting the Suchitgarh border is similar to that of a visit to the Wagha border near Lahore.

I and some colleagues finally managed to plan a visit to Suchitgarh border about a month and a half ago. On a pleasant Sunday, we set off from Gujranwala, arriving at our destination in about two hours. The road leading to the border from Sialkot is in need of repair and widening. A well maintained wide road can bring more tourists to the place.

Upon arriving at the border, we underwent a thorough checking and verification of national identity cards by Pakistan Rangers personnel stationed there. Once the scrutiny was complete, our names were recorded in a register. The most striking feature of the place is a towering structure that rises above everything else. I was told that the view of the surrounding suburbs, fields and villages on the Indian side is breathtaking. Unfortunately, we were unable to climb up the tower due to the large number of tourists.

The two countries must establish more meeting points to help bridge the gaps between India and Pakistan and promote cultural exchanges. 

During the visit we also saw a massive banyan tree that serves as a marker for the international border between Pakistan and India. Unlike the conventional concrete pillars used to demarcate the borders, this tree has become a symbol of peace and is a popular spot for tourists to capture some memorable photographs. I learnt that the tree was not always the border marker. It has replaced a concrete pyramid-shaped pillar standing in nearby in this role. Over time, the pillar vanished, leaving only the magnificent tree to define the border.

As we awaited our turn to meet the Indian tourists, an official asked us to sit in a beautiful park recently developed for visitors at the border. The officer said they had installed benches for the convenience of the visitors. “We have developed this park in coordination with the Tourism Department, he said. From another official we learnt that in addition to tourists from India and Pakistan, many Kashmiri families visit the border. He said that around 400-500 visitors daily turn up at Suchitgarh, and although people from the Indian side outnumber those from the Pakistani side, people from both sides throng the border meeting point.

Half an hour later, two Rangers men escorted our group of 30 people to the meeting place. We passed through a large gate and followed a 400-metre carpeted path that led us directly to the meeting point. We also saw the barricade we were not allowed to cross. A similar setup has been developed on the Indian side. After waiting for about 3-4 minutes, two soldiers from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) led a group of Indian tourists to the meeting point where we were waiting. We were excited to see one another. There were enthusiastic greetings and smiling faces. The Indian tourists waved at us and we reciprocated, but the border authorities restricted further interaction.

After some time, engaging conversations had started between the visitors from both sides. The Indian visitors included Rahul Arun, Benjit, Harish, Arya, and Zoya. All of them actively participated in the discussion. The topics in the exchange of ideas ranged from the rich cultural heritage of the two countries, cuisine and education, to Partition aftermath, politics and the Kashmir conflict. I had an extended conversation with Rahul Arun, who had come all the way from Mumbai to visit the Suchitgarh border and meet some Pakistanis. Our discussion was mostly around contemporary politics and the history of the dispute.

The discussion became even more engaging when the topic of abandoned homes, villages and cities of the grandparents following the Partition came up. Many people from both sides asked for information about ancestral homes. My grandfather, Ali Hasan, had migrated to Pakistan from Shadipur village near Patiala in India. When I asked the Indian visitors if any of them knew about Shadipur, a woman told me that she lived near Patiala and had been to Shadipur many times. When an Indian visitor asked about his father’s native village, Gurmula, I was able to inform him that it is located in Noshehra Virkan tehsil of Gujranwala district.

The interaction between tourists from the two countries lasted about 20-22 minutes. Each side had interesting things to tell the other. It was an unforgettable conversation. We were then instructed by border authorities to conclude the conversations. We said reluctant goodbyes and departed from the meeting point, returning to our side. Before returning home, we dined at a restaurant at the border. Interacting with Indian citizens was the highlight of the visit for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The two countries should establish more meeting points to help bridge the gap between India and Pakistan

The writer is a freelance columnist based in Gujranwala. He likes to travel and write about the best places in Pakistan. He can be reached at waseemshabbir78@gmail.com