India and China on Tuesday discussed the early resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra during the 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing. The pilgrimage, a significant religious journey for Indian devotees, has remained suspended due to border tensions in recent years.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides, with Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), leading the Indian delegation, while Hong Liang, Director General of Boundary & Oceanic Affairs, represented China, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
Discussions also focused on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with both sides acknowledging that peace and stability at the border are crucial for overall bilateral relations.
Beyond the Yatra, both nations explored measures for cross-border cooperation on trans-border rivers and reviewed the implementation of decisions made during the 23rd Special Representatives’ meeting in December 2024.
The MEA statement noted, “Held in a positive and constructive atmosphere, the meeting comprehensively reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas. Peace and tranquility on the border are critical for the smooth development of overall bilateral relations. The two sides explored various measures and proposals to give effect to the decisions taken during the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question in Beijing in December 2024 and to advance effective border management. The two sides agreed to maintain and strengthen relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms towards this end. They also exchanged views on early resumption of cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including on trans-border rivers and Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra”.
Additionally, both sides agreed to prepare for the next Special Representatives’ meeting, which is scheduled for later this year in India.
This latest development follows Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Beijing on January 26-27 for the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism, after which both countries announced plans to resume the Yatra in the summer of 2025.
Team BharatShakti
