India-China diplomatic engagements intensify as Kailash Yatra resumes

June marks a significant time for India-China ties, with India taking part in SCO meetings and the resumption of Kailash Yatra. Both countries have witnessed intense engagements during the month, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visiting China for meetings of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) meetings, which coincided with the first batch of Indian pilgrims reaching Kailash Mansarovar after a five-year hiatus.

During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Doval emphasised on the need for counter-terrorism measures to obtain regional peace and stability. At about the same time, Defence Minister Singh (during the SCO Defence Ministers meeting) refused to sign the joint declaration, because a consensus could not be reached on the issue of terrorism.

“We had our defence minister participating in the defence ministers' meeting of SCO,” explained MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal. “This meeting took place over two days, but they could not adopt a joint statement. I also understand that certain member countries could not reach consensus on certain issues, and, hence, the document couldn't be formalised”.

Jaiswal added that India had pushed for a strong mention of terrorism in the joint statement. “On our side, India wanted concerns on terrorism reflected in the document, which was not acceptable to one particular country and, therefore, the statement was not signed”.

Jaiswal also explained how the defence minister, in his address, had urged SCO member states to unite and fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.  “He (the defence minister) reiterated the need to uphold that the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, need to be held accountable”.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi would attend the SCO Summit, slated to be held in September. There is no official confirmation on this yet, as the Indian PM generally announces his participation only a few days before the event and not so much in advance. China, according to reports, has already sent an invite to India for the same.

Interestingly, during the time that Doval and Singh were in China, the first batch of Indian pilgrims accomplished the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which resumed after a five-year hiatus. Some 750 Indians were giving permits to perform this yatra through a draw of lots.

“We were elated to be a part of this journey,” said Renu Chauhan, a first-time pilgrim to Kailash Mansarovar, which is at an elevation of 15,700 ft above sea level. “The trek, which was over 55 km, was an arduous one but the arrangements made by the Tibetan government was commendable”.

The first batch of pilgrims, while being appreciative of the arrangements, had one suggestion -- that the signs should also be made in English, as it often becomes difficult for them to decipher what is written on the boards. “There should be sign boards in English too, so that we know where we are during the course of the trek,” said Sumanlata, adding that the overall facilities provided by the Chinese government was good.

Indians reached Tibet for this yatra through one of the two routes – through Sikkim via Natula Pass or through Uttarakhand via Lipulekh pass and Nepal. The yatra, which includes a 55 km trek around the Kailash Mountain and the Mansarovar lake, is popular amongst not just Hindus, but Buddhists, Jains and Bons too.

There are quite a few expat Indians too, who take this trek annually. They book their travel through agents and those who get clearance from India have to go through formalities insisted on by the ministry of external affairs (including a mandatory physical fitness test).

The yatra has traditionally been undertaken on foot, covering a physical distance from Delhi of 2,500 km. However, from points in India, like Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, the physical distance is a mere 500 km. For more people to travel to Tibet for the yatra, there is a need for resumption of direct flights between India and China.

China has also been urging India to grant more visas, in order to enhance trade and people-to-people ties. All eyes are now on the upcoming SCO Summit in September. If the PM attends the Summit, that would be a further thaw in the Indo-China ties.