China 'in talks' with India after blocking Mansarovar pilgrims, won't specify reasons

 China 'in talks' with India after blocking Mansarovar pilgrims, won't specify reasons

China had earlier refused entry to 47 Indian pilgrims who were scheduled to travel to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim 

Beijing: China confirmed on Monday that it was holding talks with India regarding the denial of passage to 47 pilgrims who were scheduled to visit Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet through the Nathu-La Pass in Sikkim.

"According to my information, the two governments are in touch over this issue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Suhang told reporters, declining to elaborate whether it was due to any weather-related issues like landslides and rains the pilgrims were stopped by the Chinese officials at the Sino-India border, reports PTI.

China had refused entry to 47 pilgrims last week and External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay had stated that difficulty was being experienced in the passage of pilgrims through Nathu-La.

Hundreds of Indian pilgrims undertake Kailash Mansarovar yatra in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China every year negotiating the mountainous terrain.

This year, a total of 350 yatris had registered for the yatra via Nathu La route and they were to travel in seven batches, reports PTI.