The announcement that India and China are set to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in June 2025 marks a significant moment in bilateral relations between the two countries. The resumption of this religious pilgrimage, which had been suspended for nearly five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent military tensions in eastern Ladakh, is more than just a return to religious tradition. It is emblematic of broader efforts to stabilise and normalise the fraught relationship between the two nations, which had deteriorated dramatically following the 2020 border standoff. This development could symbolise a thaw in diplomatic relations, and in the context of geopolitics, it holds both symbolic and practical significance for both nations and their global standing.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which takes pilgrims to Mount Kailash and the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, is of profound religious significance to Hindus. For centuries, the journey has been a spiritual undertaking, with pilgrims trekking to one of the most revered sites in the Himalayan region. This pilgrimage passes through some of the most treacherous terrain, including the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, both of which are key routes for Indian pilgrims to reach the sacred sites in Tibet, a region controlled by China. The Yatra’s importance extends beyond the religious sphere, symbolising the deep cultural and historical connections between the people of India and Tibet. For the Indian Government, the pilgrimage has long been a matter of national pride, linking India to one of its most ancient spiritual traditions. However, the suspension of the Yatra over the last five years also symbolised a broader breakdown in relations, with the physical route to Tibet effectively closed due to diplomatic and military tensions.
The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra comes at a time when India and China attempt to rebuild their relationship after years of tension. The 2020 clash in eastern Ladakh, which resulted in the deaths of soldiers on both sides, had severely strained bilateral ties. The military standoff led to a protracted period of disengagement and distrust, which was further exacerbated by the global pandemic. At the time, the Yatra’s suspension was seen as yet another casualty of the geopolitical standoff.
However, the 2023 disengagement agreement, in which both countries withdrew troops from friction points like Demchok and Depsang, paved the way for the resumption of dialogue. This process, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their talks in Kazan, Russia, demonstrates the potential for both nations to move past the military and diplomatic roadblocks of recent years. The subsequent meetings between diplomats and foreign officials have been geared toward stabilising and rebuilding bilateral ties.
On a more pragmatic level, the resumption of the Yatra signals that both India and China are eager to repair their relationship, not just for the sake of religious diplomacy, but to stabilise the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region. With the growing influence of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region and increasing concerns about China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and beyond, both countries have reasons to avoid prolonged conflict. This is more important keeping in view escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, a close ally of China. Re-engagement through cultural exchanges, as in the case of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, is a step in the right direction for fostering trust and collaboration, even as they continue to navigate complex strategic challenges.
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