Resuming of the Yatra could be a step toward diplomatic thaw between India and China
As the world reels under the weight of Trump’s tariff, it is having some good impact as well. Mostly nations who were competing are now thinking in terms of synergy. India and China who have no love lost relationship for long, are also exploring ways to come closer. As Asia’s two most powerful nations continue to navigate the complex terrain of post-standoff diplomacy, India and China are nearing an agreement to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — a symbolic step with deep geopolitical, cultural, and spiritual implications. The move comes amid sustained efforts to normalise relations after more than four tense years following the Line of Actual Control (LAC) standoff, and at a time when both economies are grappling with the fallout of protectionist trade policies, particularly US tariffs under the Trump-era framework.
The yatra, a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, has not taken place since 2020. That year saw the dual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating border tensions — culminating in the deadly Galwan Valley clash that left relations at their lowest since the 1962 war. Now, both sides appear ready to turn a new leaf.
Reportedly an understanding is imminent, marking the resumption of the Yatra as a confidence-building measures. The move signals a diplomatic thaw, particularly following troop disengagement agreements in Demchok and Depsang, and the revival of mechanisms like the Special Representatives dialogue on border issues. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October catalysed these developments. It was there that the two leaders agreed to restart cooperation on multiple fronts — ranging from border trade and trans-border river data sharing to pilgrimages like the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra; Trump tariffs expedited the process. The resumption of the pilgrimage holds profound symbolic weight. Pilgrims traverse altitudes of nearly 19,500 feet across rugged Himalayan terrain — via routes like Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim — to reach the sacred Tibetan plateau. Beyond its religious significance, the pilgrimage is also a people-to-people exchange and a soft power instrument that could help de-escalate deep-seated mistrust. If the Yatra does go ahead — albeit slightly later than usual this year due to facility refurbishments on the Chinese side — it could mark a turning point in India-China relations, offering a rare convergence of mutual interests.
The geopolitical shift comes at a moment of economic pragmatism. Both India and China have suffered collateral damage from US tariffs and global trade realignments. In this context, reviving the pilgrimage is more than a cultural gesture; it reflects a strategic recalibration aimed at reducing friction and expanding bilateral cooperation without abandoning core national interests. The Chinese side has pushed for reciprocal gestures, such as resuming direct flights, easing visa norms, and restoring media presence in each other’s capitals. Diplomatic voices from both sides are cautiously optimistic. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently stated that peace and tranquility in border areas is “critical for the smooth development of our overall bilateral relations.†Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong echoed a similar sentiment, emphasising the need to avoid letting boundary issues define the entirety of bilateral ties. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also acknowledged that while India-China relations are “moving in a positive direction,†much work remains. The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra may not resolve deep-rooted strategic mistrust or erase the trauma of Galwan. However, as a symbolic confidence-building measure, it presents an opportunity for both nations to recalibrate their relationship on a more stable and predictable foundation.
