India-China relations see progress with plans to resume Kailash Mansarovar yatra, direct flights

In a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations, India and China have announced the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has been on hold since 2020. The decision was made during a meeting between India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed, "The two sides decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025. The relevant mechanism will discuss the modalities for implementing this under existing agreements. Both nations also agreed to convene an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss the resumption of hydrological data sharing and cooperation on trans-border rivers."

Strengthening Diplomatic and People-to-People Ties

The meeting, held under the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism, follows the agreements reached by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their October 2024 discussions in Kazan, Russia. Both nations emphasized the need to stabilize bilateral ties and improve mutual understanding.

To further foster cultural and diplomatic relations, both countries agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges, including collaborations between media and think tanks. "The two sides recognize that 2025, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China, offers a unique opportunity to rebuild mutual trust and confidence," the MEA stated. A series of commemorative activities will be organized to celebrate this milestone.

Focus on Border Stability and Economic Cooperation

The discussions also touched on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) dispute and ways to prevent future friction. The two sides agreed to gradually resume functional exchanges on economic and trade issues to ensure policy transparency and long-term stability.

This development follows the disengagement at Depsang and Demchok in Ladakh, completed in October 2024. The nations have since initiated weekly patrols, with the first round successfully conducted in November 2024.