Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Set to Resume After Four-Year Hiatus, Confirms Indian MEA

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a revered spiritual journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, is expected to resume this year after a four-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

In a weekly media briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced that preparations for the pilgrimage are already underway and a public notice regarding the official resumption will be issued soon. “The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will happen this year, and we are making preparations. There is a possibility of the Yatra resuming soon,” Jaiswal stated, giving hope to thousands of pilgrims who have awaited the reopening of the sacred route.

The pilgrimage, which holds deep religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, was last conducted in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic led to its suspension, along with the halting of direct flights between India and China and broader disruptions in cross-border travel.

Jaiswal further revealed that both India and China have agreed in principle to resume direct air services between the two countries. Technical teams from both sides are currently in discussions to finalize the operational framework and modalities. “The two civil aviation authorities have already met, and technical-level discussions are ongoing. Though we don’t yet have a specific timeline, the fact that these talks are progressing is a positive sign,” he said.

Talks on resuming the Yatra and other bilateral matters gained momentum following Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Beijing in January 2025. During that visit, both nations agreed to restart direct flight operations and enhance people-to-people connectivity. Visa-related discussions are also taking place at various diplomatic levels, with both sides addressing issues including tourism, air connectivity, and cross-border cultural exchanges.

The announcement comes as India and China approach the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations—a milestone both countries plan to observe through strengthened public diplomacy and enhanced cultural engagement.

Speaking at the Rising Bharat Summit 2025 earlier this year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar echoed these sentiments, highlighting improved ties between the two countries. He said, “The relationship is much better than before,” and emphasized that recent disengagement efforts, especially in sensitive border areas like Depsang and Demchok, had laid the groundwork for broader cooperation.

Jaishankar noted that many of the tensions that arose between 2020 and 2024 were due to military build-up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and residual effects from the pandemic era. “We’re now addressing these issues gradually. The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights is part of this broader normalization process,” he said.

In October 2024, India and China reached a crucial agreement on patrolling arrangements in the Depsang Plains and Demchok following multiple rounds of talks. The move was welcomed during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, where both leaders committed to advancing disengagement and diplomatic dialogue.

The expected reopening of the Yatra is being viewed not only as a spiritual revival but also as a step forward in restoring cultural and diplomatic exchanges that had been significantly disrupted in recent years. Pilgrims, travel agencies, and regional stakeholders have expressed optimism that the resumption will boost tourism and revive the long-standing spiritual bond between the two neighboring nations.