December 19, 2024 - The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra between India and China is expected to resume once again. This decision was made during a meeting between India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, and China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, in Beijing, China, yesterday. Additionally, during the 23rd round of the Special Representatives' (SR) meeting agreement was reached on six issues.

The meeting between the SRs of the two countries was taking place after a gap of five years following friction in the western sector of the Indo-China border in 2020.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said after the meet that China is sincerely ready to resolve differences. Apart from resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Tibet, the two countries also agreed on issues such as strengthening co-ordination on the border, finding a fair solution to the border dispute, border trade, cross-border cooperation and data sharing on trans-border rivers.

The Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains worldwide, has been suspended since 2020 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and because of non-renewal of arrangement by China. This pilgrimage is considered one of the most sacred yatras taking place during the months of April to October. Pilgrims have to undertake quite an arduous journey through the Tibetan plateau to reach Mount Kailash, believed to be Lord Shiva’s abode, in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Lake Mansarovar is located at the southern foot of Mount Kailash and considered a source of divine energy and peace.

From India, pilgrims can take two routes to the peak - through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand or through Natha La Pass in Sikkim. Additionally, there is a route through Kathmandu and Simikot in Nepal and Lhasa in Tibet. However, as of now, Tibetan authorities do not issue Alien Travel Permits to Indian passport holders. And the route through Nepal is also unavailable for Indians because of China’s strict rule.

Since the suspension of the Yatra, the government has regularly been engaging in diplomatic talks with China for its resumption.