The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to resume this summer following discussions between India and China, as part of initiatives marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. This development came during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to China from January 26 to 27.
The visit also paved the way for an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to address cooperation on trans-border rivers. Direct air connectivity between the two nations is also set to resume, following agreements to discuss updated frameworks.
During his visit, the Foreign Secretary met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao, and other senior officials.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing on 26-27 January for a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism between India and China on 27 January. As agreed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at their meeting in Kazan in October, the two sides reviewed the state of India-China bilateral relations comprehensively and agreed to take certain people-centric steps to stabilize and rebuild ties.”
The statement from the MEA further noted the agreement to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2025, with relevant mechanisms to discuss its modalities as per existing agreements. Both sides also agreed to hold an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to facilitate the resumption of hydrological data sharing and other cooperative efforts related to trans-border rivers.
Efforts to enhance people-to-people exchanges, including media and think-tank interactions, were also acknowledged. Discussions between technical authorities from both sides are expected to establish the framework necessary for resuming direct air services.
As 2025 marks the 75th year of India-China diplomatic relations, both countries recognized the importance of commemorative activities to foster public diplomacy and rebuild mutual trust. Concerns related to economic and trade issues were also addressed, with an aim to resolve outstanding matters and ensure policy transparency.
The Foreign Secretary’s discussions included meetings with senior members of the Communist Party of China, such as Members of the Politburo of the Central Committee, the Director of the Office of Central Commission of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Minister Liu Jianchao.
(ANI)
