China has asked India to suspend Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Mt Kailash, which is the eternal abode of Shiva in Hindu mythology is in Tibet. Message regarding this has been conveyed to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj by her Chinese counterpart, as per a Republic TV report.
On June 11, the first batch of pilgrims started off. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson said some difficulties are being experienced in the movement via Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.
47 pilgrims were stopped as there was landslide on the Chinese side due to heavy rainfall. Pilgrims were told they will be allowed when the weather improves. So the pilgrims halted in Gangtok. It is the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation that conducts the Kailash Mansarovar yatra through Nathu La.
It is said that suspension of the yatra could also be due to increasing bilateral tensions between the two countries, over a range of issues, including China’s refusal to grant India entry in NSG( Nuclear Suppliers Group ), India not joining China’s ambitious OBOR ( One Belt One Road), and China’s 48 billion dollar worth CPEC( China Pakistan Economic Corridor), which passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, a part of POK.
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