India and China decide to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, paused since 2020, along with direct flights and enhanced people-to-people exchanges.
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India and China Agree to Resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and Direct Flights
India and China have taken a significant step towards mending bilateral relations by agreeing to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has been on hold since 2020. The decision was announced during a meeting between India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. The two nations also committed to re-establishing direct flights and promoting people-to-people engagement.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to Restart
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, will resume after a three-year hiatus. A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that mechanisms are in place to discuss the modalities for the Yatra. The pilgrimage is a key symbol of cultural and religious ties between India and China, fostering goodwill among the citizens of both countries.
In addition, the two sides agreed to hold an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss resumption of hydrological data sharing and cooperation on trans-border rivers. This agreement addresses a critical area of concern, particularly for Indian states that rely on water flow data from rivers originating in China.
Resumption of Direct Flights
As part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, India and China have also agreed in principle to resume direct flights. This move is expected to facilitate travel for business, tourism, and cultural exchanges, enhancing connectivity between the two nations.
Promoting People-to-People Engagement
India and China emphasized the importance of fostering stronger ties through people-to-people interactions. Both nations aim to promote engagement between media professionals, think tanks, and academic communities. The MEA stated, “The two sides took stock of existing mechanisms for functional exchanges and agreed to resume these dialogues step by step, addressing priority areas of interest and concern.”
Economic and Trade Cooperation
Discussions during the meeting also extended to economic and trade concerns. Both sides explored ways to resolve specific trade issues while promoting policy transparency and predictability in long-term economic ties. This dialogue comes amidst ongoing challenges in bilateral trade, with India urging China to address the trade imbalance and barriers faced by Indian exporters.
Vikram Misri’s Visit to China
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s two-day visit to Beijing marks a pivotal moment in India-China relations. The visit included participation in the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism, an agreement at the leadership level to discuss next steps in the bilateral relationship.
The talks covered various domains, including political, economic, and cultural cooperation. The resumption of these bilateral mechanisms indicates a shared commitment to addressing outstanding issues and rebuilding trust.
Border Peace: A Precondition for Normalcy
India has reiterated that normalization of relations with China depends on maintaining peace in the border areas. The recent disengagement process in Demchok and Depsang has allowed Indian and Chinese militaries to resume patrolling activities in these regions after nearly four-and-a-half years.
Conclusion
The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, direct flights, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges signals a renewed effort by India and China to restore normalcy in bilateral relations. While challenges remain, these developments mark a positive step toward mutual understanding and cooperation.
