China Blocks Indian Pilgrims’ Routes to Mount Kailash for Fifth Consecutive Year
For the fifth consecutive year since 2020, both official routes for the holy Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage for Indians remain closed. The private route through Nepal, reopened by China last year, is practically unavailable to Indians due to stringent rules that specifically target them.
The ostensible reason for the continued suspension of the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, the sacred abode of Hindu deity Lord Shiva in western Tibet, is Covid-19. However, the persistent closure of the pilgrimage routes, despite the global lifting of Covid restrictions, points to the strained bilateral relations following the Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in 2020.
India signed two agreements with China in 2013 and 2014 to open two official routes for Indian pilgrims. These agreements stipulate that China cannot unilaterally terminate the agreements without prior notice. The first agreement, dated May 20, 2013, was signed between then Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This agreement opened the Lipulekh Pass route for the yatra. The second agreement was signed by Sushma Swaraj as Foreign Minister with Yi on September 18, 2014, to open the Nathu La Pass route for the pilgrimage.
Both agreements were valid for five years and automatically extend for another five years unless either side gives a six-month prior notice of termination. The agreements also state that any modifications must be made through consensus.
The Lipulekh Pass route allows Indian pilgrims to visit Mount Kailash and Mansarovar through commercial tour operators and travel agents. The agreement specified that the Chinese side would provide necessary facilities and support to these pilgrims in accordance with its domestic laws and regulations. The Nathu La Pass agreement allows Indian pilgrims to enter or exit China through the pass in Sikkim, with implementation through diplomatic channels.
The third option for Indians was to enter Tibet from Nepal through private operators. Although China reopened its borders from the Nepal side last year, it imposed tough rules for foreigners, especially Indians. These include hiking fees and multiple restrictions, making it practically impossible for Indians to undertake the pilgrimage through Nepal. Nepali tour operators have expressed dismay, stating that the virtual ban on Indian pilgrims has ruined their business.
In January this year, 38 Indians became the first to take a chartered flight, ‘Kailash Mansarovar Darshan Flight,’ from Nepalgunj in Nepal to get an aerial view of Mount Kailash from 27,000 feet in the air.
India has also developed a spot in its territory at Lipulekh peak in Dharchula of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, from where Mount Kailash can be clearly viewed from a distance of just 50 kilometers. Earlier this month, the Uttarakhand government announced that pilgrims would be able to view Mount Kailash from this spot starting September 15. This will involve a vehicle drive up to Lipulekh and a trek of about 800 meters to reach the vantage point to view the holy site.
The ongoing closure of the pilgrimage routes raises the question of whether China is violating its agreements with India. News18 obtained RTI replies from the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, with copies of the two agreements signed with China. These agreements clearly state that China cannot unilaterally terminate them without prior notice and that any changes must be made through consensus.
Despite the challenges, India’s commitment to providing alternative means for its pilgrims to view Mount Kailash underscores its dedication to maintaining spiritual traditions. However, the issue of China’s unilateral actions and the impact on Indian pilgrims remains a significant point of contention in the strained bilateral relations between the two nations.
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