India-China Direct Flights and Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage Set to Resume in 2025
India-China relations, both nations have agreed to take crucial steps towards normalising bilateral ties. As part of the ongoing diplomatic engagement, the two countries have decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and restart direct flights between India and China, beginning in 2025. These measures reflect both countries’ commitment to strengthening people-to-people connections and improving diplomatic relations.
The Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, a deeply spiritual journey that attracts thousands of Indian pilgrims each year, has been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions. The suspension of this revered pilgrimage had been a matter of concern for many devotees, particularly since the pilgrimage is an important cultural and religious event for a significant section of India’s population.
India had long expressed its desire to resume the pilgrimage, which was a crucial avenue for strengthening ties between the two nations. After nearly four years of suspension, the agreement to restart the pilgrimage in 2025 has been welcomed by both the Indian government and the pilgrims who have eagerly awaited the opportunity to visit the holy site. Kailash Mansarovar, located in Tibet, holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon, and the resumption of the pilgrimage is seen as a step forward in the broader efforts to enhance India-China cultural exchanges. While India has actively pushed for the reopening, the resumption aligns with China’s long-standing demand for increased connectivity and bilateral cooperation.
In addition to the pilgrimage, both countries have also agreed in principle to restart direct flights between India and China. This decision marks a positive turn in the resumption of air services, which were halted due to the pandemic. For China, direct air connectivity has been a priority, and the move to restore these flights is an important milestone in the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Direct flights are expected to facilitate not only tourism and pilgrimage but also enhance trade and economic ties, business collaborations, and ease of travel for citizens from both nations. The restoration of air connectivity is expected to be a significant boon for both countries, helping foster greater people-to-people interaction, particularly in business and tourism.
This breakthrough in resuming flights and the pilgrimage follows the recent visit of India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Beijing, during which he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This diplomatic visit is part of a larger effort to normalise ties and address various concerns between the two nations. Both India and China have agreed to take a step-by-step approach to resume dialogue mechanisms and engage in substantive bilateral discussions. The restoration of travel services and the pilgrimage is seen as a “people-centric” move that will help improve relations and build trust. Officials from both sides hope that the positive momentum will continue and lead to more significant agreements in the future, including the potential for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
As the world watches India-China relations evolve, these recent agreements represent a positive shift towards cooperation. The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and direct flights demonstrates the potential for enhanced cultural exchange, tourism, and mutual understanding. Moreover, these initiatives could serve as a foundation for further diplomatic breakthroughs in the years to come. Both India and China recognise the importance of dialogue, trust-building, and cooperation in achieving long-term peace and stability in the region. The steps taken in the resumption of travel and pilgrimage are clear indicators of their intent to move beyond past hurdles and foster stronger bilateral ties. The coming months will likely reveal more details as the plans for these measures are put into motion, with both governments working together to ensure the smooth execution of these initiatives.
