India, China Discussed Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Resumption On The Sidelines Of G20 Summit In Brazil: MoS External Affairs

The Central government has said that it is in talks with China for resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was organised by the Centre every year between June and September, through the two official routes of Lipulekh Pass (since 1981) in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass (since 2015) in Sikkim.

The holy mountain Kailash, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati, and the sacred lake, Mansarovar, are located in Tibet.

Chinese visa is required for pilgrims for 'darshan' of Mount Kailash.

However, the Yatra has not taken place since 2020 following the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent non-renewal of Yatra arrangements by the Chinese side.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, said that government has taken up the issue of resumption of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra with Chinese authorities in its diplomatic engagements.

"Most recently, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met China’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Wang Yi on the sidelines of G-20 Summit on 18 November 2024 in Rio de Janerio. The resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra was discussed in the meeting," he said.

The minister added that the government will continue to take up this issue in its contacts with Chinese authorities.

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