Amid NSG rift, China shifts focus to yatra

In a bid to smoothen and strengthen ties with India in the wake of recent controversies, including the row over Indian membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, China is now focusing on the successful venture between the two countries in opening the pilgrimage route though the Nathu La Pass.

Recently, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese embassy, Liu Jinsong, in a letter to one of the pilgrims, hailed them as “folk ambassadors”, saying, “You and other Indian friends travelling to Kailash Manasarovar are not just yatris, but also modern Indian ‘Xuanzang’ and folk ambassadors taking the responsibility of passing friendship of the two peoples from generation to generation”. The Chinese diplomat replied after one of the pilgrims wrote to him, thanking him for the excellent infrastructure during the pilgrimage.

“Despite adverse natural conditions and very limited time, new reception centres and hotels were built, roads and bridges were constructed, professional guides and interpreters trained, stay points and medical emergency services prepared, gratis visa provided efficiently and Indian chefs cooking authentic Indian vegetarian diet sponsored by the ministry of foreign affairs of China, the Chinese embassy in India and local governments in the Tibet Autonomous region with joint efforts,” Mr Jinsong wrote, adding that the appreciation of the infrastructure by the pilgrims was the “highest praise” for China. “We share mountains and rivers, history and culture, and a bright future as well,” he said.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China through the new route via Nathu La pass was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to India in September, 2014 and was opened last year. The new route through the Himalayan pass of Nathu La, 4,000 metres above sea level, has facilitated more comfortable travel for the Indian pilgrims, especially for the elderly, by buses compared to the existing way via Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. A total of 18 batches, each comprising around 60 pilgrims, visit Kailash Mansoravar currently through the existing old route while five batches having 50 pilgrims each visit through the newly-opened motorable route.