India And China To Resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra In 2025, Focus On Rebuilding Ties

India and China have decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday. The announcement followed Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing under the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism.

The meeting comprehensively reviewed India-China bilateral relations. Both sides agreed on people-centric steps to stabilize and rebuild ties, reflecting the understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan last October.

According to the MEA, further discussions on the Yatra’s modalities will take place under the existing agreements.India and China agreed, in principle, to resume direct air services. Relevant technical authorities will work on an updated framework to operationalize this at the earliest. Additionally, both sides decided to hold an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss resuming the provision of hydrological data and enhancing cooperation on trans-border rivers.

With 2025 marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, both countries will increase public diplomacy efforts. They plan to conduct commemorative activities and improve mutual trust and confidence through dialogues addressing priority areas, including economic and trade issues.

Commitment To Positive Engagement

Foreign Secretary Misri also met Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, during his visit. Chinese officials stressed the positive progress in bilateral ties since the Kazan meeting.

“The two sides should seize the opportunity, meet halfway, explore substantive measures, and commit to mutual understanding, mutual support, and mutual achievement, rather than mutual suspicion and alienation,” said the Chinese side.

They emphasized that improved China-India relations align with both nations’ fundamental interests. They added that strong ties contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in Asia and the world, while benefiting the global South.

The MEA noted the decision to resume dialogues step by step and address economic concerns with transparency and predictability. Both countries aim to rebuild trust and cooperation as part of their long-term diplomatic relationship.