Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Scheduled for June-August 2025: MEA

New Delhi, April 26 (NationPress) The eagerly anticipated Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to occur from June to August 2025, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over the weekend.

According to the MEA's statement, five batches of 50 Yatris each will depart through Uttarakhand via the Lipulekh Pass, while ten batches of 50 Yatris will travel through Sikkim at the Nathu La Pass.

The application process has been streamlined; interested Yatris can apply online at kmy.gov.in. The selection will utilize a random, fair, and gender-balanced computer-generated process.

Since 2015, the entire procedure from application to selection has been fully computerized.

There is no need for applicants to send letters or faxes for inquiries; the website offers feedback options for obtaining information, sharing observations, or suggesting improvements, as stated by the MEA.

Efforts to resume the Yatra between India and China have been underway since the beginning of the year.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent cessation of Yatra arrangements by the Chinese side, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has not occurred since 2020. The Indian government has traditionally managed the Yatra between June and September, utilizing the two official routes of Lipulekh Pass (since 1981) in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass (since 2015) in Sikkim.

Following a meeting in January this year under the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister framework, both nations announced intentions to resume the Yatra in the summer of 2025.

During this meeting, attended by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, a comprehensive review of India-China bilateral relations took place, resulting in an agreement to undertake several people-centric measures to stabilize and strengthen ties, as discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their October 2024 meeting in Kazan.

Both countries have also agreed in principle to restart direct air services, with relevant technical authorities negotiating an updated framework.

Last month, following official consultations between the Foreign Ministries of India and China in Beijing, it was confirmed that efforts are ongoing to finalize the procedures necessary for the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) at the MEA, conducted a consultative meeting with Liu Jinsong, Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They reviewed actions taken to implement strategic directions and specific steps agreed upon during the January 2025 meeting to stabilize and improve relations.

They positively noted advancements in bilateral relations since the leaders' meeting in October 2024. In the meantime, the Foreign Ministers have convened twice, and the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary issue have held their 23rd meeting, providing strategic guidance for further development of relations.

They reiterated their commitment to enhancing people-to-people exchanges, including resuming direct flights, media interactions, and celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Progress has been made on the modalities to restart the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2025.

The MEA indicated that both parties also assessed planned exchanges and initiatives this year, discussing the gradual resumption of dialogue mechanisms to address mutual priorities and pave a more stable and predictable path for relations.