750 pilgrims shortlisted for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resuming after 6 years

Following the four days of intense military hostilities between India and Pakistan on May 7-10, the Indian military leadership had named China-supplied weapons in the Pakistani arsenal used against the Indian Armed Forces, putting a shadow of doubt on the fate of the Yatra.

However, sources said a call was taken to not conflate the two issues, and to go ahead with the Yatra as per schedule. Indian and Chinese authorities are working towards heightened security arrangements for the Yatra, as it is taking place at a time when there is high threat perception on the security of pilgrims.

Announcing the Yatra, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday: “Kailash Manasarovar Yatra organised by the Ministry of External Affairs is set to commence from June 2025, and will go on till August 2025.”

“This year, 5,561 applicants had successfully registered online, which included 4,024 male applicants and 1,537 female applicants. A total of 750 selected Yatris, including 2 LOs (liason officers) per batch, will travel in 5 batches of 50 Yatris each via the Lipulekh route, and 10 batches of 50 Yatris each via the Nathu La route. Both routes are now fully motorable, and involve very little trekking,” it said.

The MEA said that Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, conducted the computerised draw for selection of Yatris, who were selected through a fair, random, gender-balanced selection process.

The Yatra is a significant step towards normalising India-China ties since the border standoff began in 2020, and towards rebuilding the trust deficit that has emerged since the border standoff in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in Galwan.

This is the first step taken after the completion of the disengagement process in eastern Ladakh, where 50,000 to 60,000 troops are still stationed along the India-China border. The Yatra was on top of India’s wishlist since the talks to normalise the ties began in November last year.

The issue of de-escalation and de-induction of military troops remains on the agenda, even as steps are being taken to resume the Yatra, sources said.

The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region holds religious significance for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.

The Yatra was initially suspended in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently because of the military standoff between the two sides. The negotiations for the Yatra picked up pace after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to China, where the two countries agreed in principle to resume it.

The resumption of the Yatra was officially discussed for the first time when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in November 2024, on the sidelines of the G20 leaders’ summit in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro. It was again discussed at the Special Representatives’ meeting in Beijing between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Wang Yi in December 2024. With the Yatra beginning in June, the focus will now shift to the remaining items on the wishlist, including sharing of data on trans-border rivers, direct flights, easing of visas and exchange of media and think-tanks between the two countries.