China to open Nathu la pass today for Kailash pilgrims

China and India will open the Nathu la border point in Sikkm on Monday to enable pilgrims to travel Kailash-Manasarovar by bus from the border without the ordeal of trekking and travelling on horse backs. The first batch of 44 pilgrims and support staff will on Monday enter China from this point, about 31 km from here.

An elaborate ceremony has been planned to welcome them, which will be attended by Chinese Ambassador to India le Yucheng and diplomats from the Indian Embassy in Beijing. The agreement to open the second route was reached during last year’s visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India. Prime Minister Modi had urged him earlier to open the route to reduce the difficulties.

Modi wanted a second route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, keeping in view the terrain difficulties through the existing routes through U’khand and Nepal which involved arduous journey involving heavy tracking or by mules. PTI