After years of tension, India and China reopen sacred Kailash route—Is this a diplomatic breakthrough?

Is the return of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra a turning point in India-China relations?

China’s decision to allow the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for Indian pilgrims in 2025 represents more than just the resumption of a sacred pilgrimage. It signals a potential shift in the diplomatic posture between two of Asia’s largest powers, following years of strained bilateral ties. This renewed access, which had remained suspended since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and border clashes in 2020, carries deep cultural, political, and symbolic weight. For many observers, the reopening of this religious route may represent an early indicator of diplomatic thaw, especially as both countries approach the 75th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations.

Why is Kailash Mansarovar important to India and China?

Located in the remote Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Mount Kailash and the nearby Lake Mansarovar hold profound religious significance for several South Asian faiths. Hindus believe Mount Kailash to be the abode of Lord Shiva, while Jains regard it as the site where their first Tirthankara attained liberation. Tibetan Buddhists and followers of the ancient Bon religion also revere the site as spiritually significant. For centuries, pilgrims have undertaken arduous journeys across treacherous terrain to reach this sacred destination.

From a geopolitical standpoint, the route to Kailash Mansarovar—via either the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand or the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim—passes through highly sensitive areas along the India-China border. This makes the Yatra not just a religious matter but also a strategic one. It has often served as a barometer of bilateral relations, with the status of the pilgrimage directly tied to the broader political environment.

What led to the Yatra’s suspension and how was it revived?

The Yatra was abruptly halted in early 2020 due to the global outbreak of COVID-19. However, it remained suspended well beyond pandemic-related travel disruptions, as tensions escalated between India and China following the deadly Galwan Valley clash in June 2020. Diplomatic communications were reduced to technical-level military disengagement talks, and all forms of people-to-people engagement—including cultural and religious exchanges—were effectively frozen.

In late 2024, following a gradual de-escalation along several friction points in Ladakh, including troop pullbacks in areas like Gogra-Hot Springs, the two countries reopened high-level diplomatic engagement. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri led discussions with Chinese officials focusing on restoring civil exchanges. Among the measures tabled was the proposal to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra—widely viewed as a cultural lever that could reignite diplomatic goodwill. By early April 2025, China confirmed that Indian pilgrims would be permitted to undertake the Yatra this year, with both sides currently coordinating on logistics, permissions, and travel protocols.

How does the Yatra tie into broader India-China diplomacy?

The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra could mark a subtle but strategic pivot in India-China diplomacy. In the past, cultural and religious exchanges have played a key role in diffusing geopolitical tensions. The Yatra, in particular, has long symbolised bilateral cooperation in sensitive border areas. In 2015, when China first allowed pilgrims to cross via the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, it was hailed as a milestone in people-to-people ties. The reopening in 2025 appears to draw from the same playbook—using shared spiritual heritage as a bridge to overcome political distance.

Analysts suggest that the decision also serves mutual interests. For China, it presents an opportunity to showcase its willingness to re-engage with India on softer, non-contentious platforms. For India, the development signals a tentative return to diplomatic normalcy without compromising on its broader border stance. It also aligns with India’s broader neighbourhood-first and cultural diplomacy strategies.

What are the logistical and political implications of resuming the pilgrimage?

While the symbolic value of reopening the Yatra is clear, the logistical challenges remain substantial. Pilgrims access Kailash Mansarovar through two main routes: the traditional Lipulekh Pass route in Uttarakhand, which involves crossing rugged Himalayan terrain, and the motorable Nathu La Pass route via Sikkim, which was introduced to ease pilgrim travel. Both routes traverse high-altitude regions requiring acclimatisation and special infrastructure support.

Following five years of suspension, officials are now reviewing the infrastructure on both sides of the border. Tour operators report increased inquiries from prospective pilgrims, but also warn of logistical bottlenecks—particularly in Ngari Prefecture, where capacity to house and manage pilgrims may be limited due to degraded facilities or ongoing Chinese development activity. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is expected to issue a formal notification outlining the eligibility criteria, registration process, and safety guidelines shortly.

Politically, the move is being watched closely for what it portends for the broader border dispute. While neither side has indicated that the Yatra’s revival is linked to a breakthrough on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the return of civil engagements may increase diplomatic momentum in ongoing border talks. It is also likely to serve as a confidence-building measure that tempers public perception in both countries, which has been largely shaped by nationalist rhetoric and media-driven hostility since 2020.

Could this cultural reopening lead to economic and transport normalisation?

The 2025 Yatra revival coincides with parallel efforts by both countries to restart direct air connectivity. Commercial flights between India and China were suspended during the pandemic and remain non-operational. Talks are reportedly underway to resume these services, with technical teams exploring viable routes and frequency. This initiative, if successful, would further expand the scope of bilateral interactions—enabling not just religious tourism but also business travel and academic exchange.

From a regional economic standpoint, the Yatra also plays a role in boosting tourism in the Indian border states of Uttarakhand and Sikkim. Local economies, heavily dependent on seasonal tourism, suffered due to the Yatra’s suspension. Its return could rejuvenate employment opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, transport, and travel facilitation. However, environmental experts have raised concerns about overcrowding and ecological strain on the fragile Himalayan ecosystems. Future policies are expected to include stricter limits on the number of annual pilgrims and enhanced environmental safeguards.

What does this mean for the future of India-China relations?

As India and China approach the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra offers a rare moment of convergence in a relationship otherwise characterised by mutual suspicion. While the core issues around territorial disputes and strategic rivalry remain unresolved, the restoration of cultural exchanges suggests an appetite for pragmatic engagement. This does not signal a full-fledged diplomatic reset but could lay the groundwork for more stable, multi-level interaction.

The long-standing border dispute, intensified military infrastructure build-up, and deepening alliances—such as India’s participation in the Quad and China’s alignment with Russia—continue to complicate the geopolitical calculus. Yet, cultural diplomacy has historically acted as a pressure valve in even the most tense bilateral situations. The Yatra’s revival must therefore be seen in context: a low-risk, high-visibility confidence-building gesture with potential to ripple into other domains.

For now, Indian pilgrims preparing to walk the sacred circuit around Mount Kailash in 2025 may also be symbolically tracing the first steps of a cautious diplomatic detour—one that avoids confrontation without promising convergence.