India, China to Resume Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, Signaling Thawing Relations

India and China have agreed to resume the annual pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in the Tibet Autonomous Region, a sacred site for Hindus and Buddhists, Bloomberg reports.

The announcement comes five years after the religious journey was suspended following deadly border clashes between the two nations.

The pilgrimage, organized by the Indian foreign ministry, holds immense religious and cultural significance for devotees.

The resumption of the pilgrimage marks a thawing in relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, which had deteriorated sharply after a 2020 border dispute that resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese troops.

The announcement follows a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS summit in Russia six months ago, where both leaders agreed to stabilize bilateral relations. The move also coincides with China’s efforts to strengthen ties with regional allies amidst increasing US pressure to limit trade with Beijing.

Beyond the resumption of the pilgrimage, India and China have taken steps in recent months to improve connectivity, including agreeing to resume direct flights and facilitate visa processes. Discussions regarding the pilgrimage had been ongoing between officials from both sides since last year.

While positive developments are emerging, some complexities remain. China has expressed willingness to increase imports of Indian products to address trade imbalances. However, India maintains a cautious approach towards Chinese investments, exemplified by its continued restrictions on market access for companies like BYD Co.

Despite these lingering challenges, the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra represents a significant step forward in rebuilding trust and fostering cooperation between the world’s two most populous nations. The pilgrimage is expected to restart soon, allowing thousands of devotees to once again embark on this sacred journey.