India, China agree to resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, direct flights

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India and China have decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, stopped since 2020. New Delhi and Beijing also agreed in principle the resumption of direct flights during a meeting between foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi.

"In this context, the two sides decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025; the relevant mechanism will discuss the modalities for doing so as per existing agreements. They also agreed to hold an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss resumption of provision of hydrological data and other cooperation pertaining to trans-border rivers," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"The two sides recognise that 2025, being the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, should be utilised to redouble public diplomacy efforts to create better awareness about each other and restore mutual trust and confidence among the public. The two sides will conduct a number of commemorative activities to mark this anniversary," the statement by the MEA further said.