India and China have agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has been paused since 2020. This decision was made during a meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
A statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs states that both sides will discuss the details of resuming the yatra as per existing agreements. They also agreed to hold an early meeting to discuss the resumption of hydrological data sharing and cooperation on trans-border rivers.
Both India and China have also agreed in principle to resume direct flights between the two countries. Also, they decided to enhance people-to-people contacts, especially through media and think tanks.
“The two sides reviewed the existing mechanisms for functional exchanges. It was decided to resume these dialogues gradually, focusing on addressing mutual concerns and priorities. Economic and trade issues were discussed, to resolve them and promote long-term policy transparency and predictability,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.
Vikram Misri, India's Foreign Secretary, is currently on a two-day visit to Beijing for a meeting under the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism between India and China. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the resumption of this bilateral mechanism follows an agreement at the leadership level to discuss the future steps in India-China relations, focusing on political, economic, and people-to-people ties.
India has consistently emphasized that its relationship with China cannot return to normal unless peace is maintained along the border areas.
After the completion of the disengagement process in Demchok and Depsang, both Indian and Chinese militaries have also resumed patrolling in these regions, following a break of nearly four-and-a-half years.