High-Level Diplomatic Breakthrough for India and China, Restoration of Direct Flight Connectivity Between the Two Countries to Open Ways for Kailash Mansarovar Yatris

In a significant development for India-China bilateral relations, both nations have agreed to resume direct flights and substantially expand the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, marking a new chapter in India-China diplomacy after years of strained ties. Following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's arrival in Delhi, crucial meetings were conducted on Tuesday with top Indian officials, including Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The discussions, which included the 24th round of special representative talks held on Monday and extended till Tuesday, have yielded substantial outcomes for India-China relations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a comprehensive statement on Tuesday outlining the key agreements reached during these diplomatic engagements. "The two sides have decided to resume India-China direct flights at the earliest and increase the scale of Indian pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar."

Both countries have committed to resuming direct flight connectivity between the Chinese mainland and India at the earliest. The agreement includes finalizing an updated Air Services Agreement to facilitate smoother travel between the two nations. This development comes after the suspension of India-China flights following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash.

The restoration of direct flights is expected to significantly enhance Kailash Yatra travel, making the sacred journey more accessible for Indian pilgrims. The agreement also encompasses facilitating visas for tourists, businesses, media personnel, and other visitors travelling in both directions. In a major boost for religious tourism, both parties have agreed to continue and further expand the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash (Gang Renpoche) and Lake Mansarovar (Mapam Yun Tso) in Tibet, beginning in 2026. The agreement includes plans to increase the number of Kailash pilgrims, which will enhance people-to-people exchanges between the nations.

The timing of this announcement holds special significance for devotees, as the upcoming year is considered particularly auspicious for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Known as the "Mahakumbh of Kailash" or the Chinese Horse Year in 2026, which is considered the most prominent as per the Tibetan and Chinese zodiac calendars; also believed that performing a single parikrama (circumambulation) of Mount Kailash during this period is believed to be equivalent to 13 parikramas during any other period.

The diplomatic breakthrough extends beyond aviation and pilgrimage. Both nations have agreed to reopen border trade through three designated trading points: Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La, and Nathu La. This decision aims to restore economic ties that were disrupted following the border tensions. Regarding security matters, both sides have committed to utilizing existing border management mechanisms at diplomatic and military levels. The MEA stated that discussions will focus on "border management and de-escalation, beginning with the principles and modalities."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and announced plans for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China, scheduled for August 31-September 1, 2025. The Prime Minister emphasized that "stable, predictable and constructive ties" between New Delhi and Beijing would contribute to "global peace and prosperity.

This breakthrough builds upon External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to China last month, which marked the end of prolonged diplomatic isolation between the two nations. The visit resulted in the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals, which tends to improve bilateral cooperation on international platforms.

During his recent meetings with Wang Yi, Jaishankar noted that China expressed readiness to work with India and other neighbors to establish "five aspects of peace, tranquillity, prosperity, beauty, and friendship." Wang Yi emphasized that "both sides should carefully draw on the lessons learned over the past 75 years and view each other as partners." 

The restoration of India-China direct flights and expansion of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage program are expected to create new opportunities in the business and tourism sectors. The direct flight connectivity will enable a hassle-free Kailash Yatra tour, significantly improving the pilgrimage experience for Indian devotees.

Experts anticipate that these developments will boost bilateral trade and investment flows, contributing to the economic recovery of both nations in the post-pandemic era. Also, the facilitation of business visas is particularly expected to enhance commercial exchanges between the two Asian giants. The MEA characterized the recent discussions as "positive, constructive, and forward-looking," covering bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. Both sides have agreed on various understandings and outcome steps focused on people-centric and economic engagement. This diplomatic breakthrough represents a significant milestone in India-China relations, offering hope for sustained improvement in bilateral ties between the world's two most populous nations.

Stay tuned for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 updates.