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Chinese reluctance forces India to cut Mansarovar pilgrimage to one batch |
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The Government of India has cancelled the first two expeditions of the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra [pilgrimage] after China refused to accept pilgrims until June 21. The truncated yatra this time will have only one batch of pilgrims who will leave Delhi on June 21. While China cited “domestic reasons” for the delay, the real reason is that it wants to keep the Tibet region free of foreigners until the Olympic Torch has passed through the area. It is scheduled to be in Tibet between June 19 and 21. Both Mount Kailash and Mansarovar are situated in the Tibet Autonomous Region, hence the Chinese reaction, said senior Government sources.
The Chinese decision was made suddenly because until May 7, India and China were preparing for the Yatra starting on June 1. But, soon after, China started to refuse visas to pilgrims which sparked speculation. This crystallized over the weekend when India had to cancel the yatra. In a statement on May 20, the External Affairs Ministry said, China has conveyed to the Indian Government that in view of domestic reasons, it would not be in a position to receive pilgrims before June 21.
The annual yatra, which is arduous in nature, has been organized by the External Affairs Ministry since 1981 under a bilateral arrangement between India and China. While the pilgrims are India’s responsibility, China has been facilitating them over the years, with communication cover etc.
The Chinese have been hit very badly with Tibetan unrest during the Olympic Torch relay and have taken the path of abundant caution in their dealings on Tibet. They have even told Nepal to stop treks to Mount Everest from its territory. A Nepalese pass through which pilgrims can go to Tibet is also out of bounds this year.
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