China offers talks on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

China has offered to discuss the possibility of alternative arrangements through other routes for official Indian yatris to Kailash and Mansarovar via Nathula Pass. Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India Counselor Xie Liyan said the Beijing understand that yatra to Kailash and Manasrovar is an important part of China-India people-to-people and cultural exchanges. She blamed Indian troops for having obstructing the pilgrimage.

In 2014, when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India, China announced the opening of a new yatra route for official Indian yatris via Nathula Pass, which was opened as scheduled in 2015. According to statistics of Xizang authority, the Chinese side received about 1,000 official yatris and more than 10,000 non-official yatris every year. The Indian government and people from all walks of life have expressed appreciation and gratitude to the efforts by China.

The two sides agreed that a total of 350 yatris in seven batches would take part in yatras to Xizang through Nathula Pass this year. The first batch would have entered Xizang on June 20, with visas already issued by Chinese embassy. "However, days before the departure of the yatris the Indian border troops crossed into the Chinese territory and obstructed the Chinese border troops' normal activities in Doklam. To ensure the safe and smooth visit of Indian yatris, China has to halt their entry into Xizang through Nathula Pass. The Chinese side had notified the Indian side through diplomatic channel," she said, adding that her country was willing to discuss the possibility of alternative arrangements through other routes for Indian official yatris who had planned to visit Kailash and Mansarovar via Nathula Pass.