China to open new route for Kailash Manasorvar by 2015

BEIJING: China has assured India that all preparatory steps are being taken to open the new route for pilgrims of Kailash and Manasarovar in Tibet through Sikkim in summer next year as promised by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The assurance was given by Jiang Jie, Vice Chairman of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) during his meeting with Indian Ambassador Ashok K Kantha who is currently touring Tibet to make preparations for the Yatris and to expand border trade through Sikkim border.

During the meeting, Jiang recalled the recent successful visit of Xi to India and the decision taken during the visit to open an additional route for pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar through the Nathu La Pass, an Indian Embassy press release here said today.

Jiang assured Ambassador that all preparatory steps are being taken to open the new route in the summer of 2015, it said.

He also briefed Kantha about the efforts being taken by TAR government to upgrade the facilities for pilgrims through existing route across Lipulekh Pass. He also gave a briefing on the socio-economic situation in Tibet.

Kantha told Jiang that the Government of India appreciated the decision to open a new route for the pilgrimage through the Nathula Pass and hoped a large number of pilgrims would be able to use this route beginning the summer of 2015.

Both officials agreed that the two sides should work closely to ensure smooth commencement of the pilgrimage, the release said. Kantha has called for expanding the inherent potential in trade and economic cooperation between Tibet and India.

The two sides also discussed the possibilities for expanding border trade through Nathu La.