Sindoor finds a way across border as 150 Pakistan brides arrive for weddings
Following border closures between India and Pakistan, 150 Pakistani brides utilized circuitous air routes through third countries to reach India for their weddings. The journey was made possible by special visa relaxations from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs.
Why it matters
It highlights the human impact of geopolitical tensions and the bureaucratic hurdles faced by families separated by strained international relations.
NAGPUR: Love was stranded after borders were shut with Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor and planned weddings seemed a remote possibility in times of conflict. The Wagah-Attari gates had been slammed shut and the wait was punishing till hope flared up again a few months ago.At least 150 wannabe Pakistani brides took transit flights from Muscat, Colombo, Dhaka, Dubai and Qatar to touch down in Indian cities, including Nagpur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Raipur, Pune and Bhopal to recreate the enduring bond of ‘sindoor'.A special relaxation by the ministry of home affairs in coordination with a revered shrine in Sindh, enabled these journeys.Pakistani relatives were allowed to accompany the brides, but had to return within the stipulated period, making the marriages relatively low-profile.TOI has accessed visa permits and documents of Pakistani brides and spoke to many of the happily married Pakistani couples.In normal times, Pakistanis with an India visa simply cross over from Wagah,…
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