Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Likely to Resume After Six Years Amid India-China Thaw

The revered Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to make a comeback after a six-year suspension. Diplomatic engagements between India and China show signs of improvement. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has initiated the process for restarting the pilgrimage, pending final confirmation from Chinese authorities.

Public Notification Expected Soon

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced that preparations are underway. A public advisory regarding the resumption of the yatra will be released shortly. “There is a high likelihood of the yatra happening this year.” He noted that finer details will be shared in due course. These details include route specifics.

Possible Changes to the Route

India and China are engaged in ongoing talks. They are working toward resuming the pilgrimage. They may also introduce modifications to the traditional routes. While the Lipulekh Pass remains the primary corridor, the Demchok route is reportedly under consideration following strategic evaluations. However, Jaiswal declined to confirm any route changes. He emphasized that current efforts are focused on making the journey possible again in 2025.

The diplomatic breakthrough follows a period of strained relations post-Galwan clashes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping renewed their engagement during their meeting in Kazan last October. This engagement has helped de-escalate the situation. This led to disengagement agreements in areas like Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, which have positively influenced bilateral ties.

Yatra Resumption Discussions at Multiple Diplomatic Levels

The issue of restarting the Mansarovar Yatra has been addressed in various high-level meetings. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar raised the issue with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. This happened during the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. Further progress was made during a special representative dialogue in December. This was followed by talks between the Indian Foreign Secretary and the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister in January 2025.

A Symbolic Step During 75 Years of India-China Diplomatic Relations

The revival of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will coincide with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Senior officials from both foreign ministries met on March 26 in Beijing. They reaffirmed the desire to strengthen people-to-people relations. Initiatives discussed included restarting direct Delhi-Beijing flights, promoting media exchanges, and progressing on the pilgrimage revival plan.

Strategic Road Developments and Route Options

Traditionally, the yatra is conducted via two routes: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim. Recent infrastructure developments—particularly the construction of an 80-kilometer link road from Pithoragarh to Lipulekh—have significantly reduced the travel time. The new route was previously a two to three-week journey through Nepal or Sikkim. Now, it enables pilgrims to complete the trip in about a week.

With this road now nearly complete, a larger portion of the yatra (about 84%) can be conducted within Indian territory. This is a significant change compared to earlier routes. Previously, around 80% of the journey fell within Tibet, now governed by China.

COVID-19 and Geopolitical Challenges Delayed the Pilgrimage

The last Kailash Mansarovar Yatra took place in 2019. It was first halted in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Later, it was postponed indefinitely because of the India-China border standoff in eastern Ladakh. Only now, after gradual diplomatic progress, has the path for its resumption become clearer.