On Monday, China said it was in touch with India over continuing the Mansarovar Yatra through Sikkim’s Nathu La pass, after it denied entry to Indian pilgrims.
"According to my information the two governments are in touch over this issue," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Suhang told reporters.
China refused entry to the first batch of around 50 Indian pilgrims who were scheduled to travel to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim, citing damage to roads due to rains and landslides in the Tibet region.
The 47 pilgrims, who were stopped by the Chinese officials at the border from proceeding further, have now returned to their respective states, official sources said in Gangtok on Saturday.
The pilgrims were scheduled to cross over to the Chinese side on 19 June but had failed to do so due to inclement weather. They had waited at the base camp and tried to cross on Friday but were denied permission by the Chinese officials.
The development has cast a shadow of uncertainty on the annual yatra as Chinese officials maintained that it would take some time to repair the roads and the Indians would not be able to make the pilgrimage any time soon.
“The pilgrims and the liaison officer were told that because of incessant rainfall the roads in the Chinese side had been washed away in major landslides. So they cannot proceed any further,” a source said here.
The Chinese officials said they were concerned about the safety of the Indian pilgrims which is why they were stopped from proceeding further.
"Yes, there are some difficulties being experienced in movement of KMY (Kailash Mansarovar Yatra) Yatris via Nathu La. Matter is being discussed with Chinese side," said External Affairs Minstry spokesperson Gopal Baglay.
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