The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advised Indian citizens not to begin the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through private tour operators unless they have obtained all the required travel documents, after receiving several requests for assistance from pilgrims stranded in Nepal. The advisory comes as around 52 Indian pilgrims remain stuck in Kathmandu due to the absence of the required entry permits and visas for China.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the MEA said it has received several requests for help from Indian citizens who travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra without the necessary Chinese entry permit and visa through tours organised by private operators.
The Ministry advised citizens not to commence their journey from India until all required travel documents have been obtained for the complete pilgrimage. It said starting the journey without confirmed documentation, or expecting to obtain the required documents later, increases the likelihood of being stranded.
The MEA also urged pilgrims to ensure that their tour operator is duly registered and authorised before booking the pilgrimage.
The issue was raised by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, who sought immediate intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions in Nepal and China to assist the stranded pilgrims.
In a post on X, Sule wrote, "Around 52 Indian citizens travelling to Kailash Mansarovar are currently stranded in Kathmandu, Nepal and are in need of urgent assistance."
She further appealed, "Requesting Dr S Jaishankar, Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Nepal, Embassy of India in Beijing, China and Ministry of External Affairs, India to kindly look into the matter and extend the necessary support to ensure their safe onward journey."
The advisory comes days after the first batch of pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 crossed into China through the India-China border at Nathu La Pass on June 20.
