Mansarovar Yatra Made Easier: China Eases Visa Process — All You Need To Know

India and China have agreed to resume the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025, marking a significant development in their diplomatic relations. This decision signals a potential thaw in ties between the two nations, which had been strained following the Galwan standoff in 2020. 

The decision was made during India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Beijing on Jan. 26-27. During the visit, Misri met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister H.E. Sun Weidong. The meeting followed an Oct. 2024 agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, focused on taking people-centric steps to stabilise and rebuild bilateral ties.

One of the key decisions taken during the meeting was the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, suspended since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Galwan standoff thereafter. 

A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said, “... the two sides decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025; the relevant mechanism will discuss the modalities for doing so as per existing agreements.”

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, spanning visits to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, is one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. The reopening of the route signals the easing of tensions between India and China.

In addition to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, India and China also agreed in principle to resume direct flights between the two countries.

The two officials further agreed to “promote and facilitate people-to-people exchanges, including media and think tank interactions.” The two countries have reportedly also agreed to ease the visa norms to facilitate exchange between them.

“The relevant technical authorities on the two sides will meet and negotiate an updated framework for this purpose at an early date,” the MEA said.

Against the backdrop of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, both sides further agreed to intensify public diplomacy efforts to enhance mutual awareness.

The two countries also committed to restoring mutual trust and confidence among their publics through commemorative activities marking the anniversary.

Additionally, specific concerns in the economic and trade sectors were addressed, to resolve these issues and promote long-term policy transparency and predictability.