Tibet pass opens to India’s Pilgrims
Print Edition
IN a bid to promote more religious exchanges, China yesterday inaugurated a new land crossing into its southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region for Indian pilgrims.
The first group of 43 Indian nationals entered Tibet via the Himalayan Nathu La Pass at 10am, starting a 12-day pilgrimage to the sacred religious sites of Mount Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yumco Lake in Ngari Prefecture.
“This new route is safer, more convenient and more comfortable than the former one,” said Dong Mingjun, vice chairman of the Tibet regional government.
It will also shorten the pilgrimage time, he said.
On their arrival the pilgrims were provided with free jackets, backpacks and blankets by Chinese authorities.
Le Yucheng, the Chinese ambassador to India who traveled from New Delhi for the occasion, said the pass was the result of a consensus reached by the nations’ leaders when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India in September.
“It will promote mutual understanding and communication between the peoples of the two countries,” he said.
“We hope to use this opportunity to strengthen trust between China and India, expand cooperation in all fields, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, properly handle our divergences, boost common development, and take the bilateral relations of our two countries to a new level,” he said.
According to Indian media, about 250 pilgrims in five groups will travel to Tibet along the new route this year. A further 18 groups of 60 pilgrims will take the old route.
Tarun Vijay, president of the Parliamentary Group on India China Friendship, said the new route marked a milestone in the bilateral relationship, and that its opening has global significance.
“It is a moment of mutual trust. We are grateful to President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their efforts,” he said.
The new route will be an enduring symbol of the people-to-people ties between India and China, said Shrila Datta Kumar, a counselor from the Indian Embassy to China.
Amarnath, 70, from Mumbai was among the first group of pilgrims.
“It is my first time traveling to Tibet, and probably my last. I thank the Chinese government for the warm welcome,” he said.
The Nathu La Pass sits 4,545 meters above sea level and is wedged between Tibet’s Yadong County in Xigaze Prefecture and India’s Sikkim State.
Reopened in 2006 — for trade only — after being closed for more than 40 years, it is the shortest land pass for trade between China and India.
Indian nationals have made the pilgrimage to Tibet every year since 1981. China has welcomed almost 80,000 Indian pilgrims in the past decade alone.
The pilgrims traditionally climb over the Qang La Pass, which sits 5,200m above sea level on the China-India-Nepal border, to reach their destination.
But that route is very steep and usually covered by snow.
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