India-China Relations: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to Strategic Diplomacy

By: Suryavanshi IAS | Best Coaching for UPSC Foundation Course
📍 Rahul Vihar, Near Tulsi Car Care, Indira Nagar, Lucknow
📞 Contact: 6306446114 | 🌐 suryavanshiias.blogspot.com

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🗺️ Contextual Background:

India-China relations have seen recurring cycles of cooperation and tension. In recent months, there has been a notable shift in soft diplomacy with the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY). The blog analyses this in light of:

• Ongoing border standoffs,

• SCO Summit diplomacy,

• Trade and FDI frictions,

• The Tibet issue,

• China's South Asia engagement model,

• Bilateral and multilateral tensions.

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🛕 1. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Cultural Diplomacy as Strategic Gesture

Topic: India’s relations with neighbours (GS Paper II)

Significance:

• Mount Kailash (Kangrínboqê Fēng) and Lake Mansarovar (Mapam Yumco) are sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon.

• China allowed 8–9 batches of Indian pilgrims to travel via Tibet (Xizang) in 2025, showcasing an act of religious diplomacy.

• Seen as a gesture to improve people-to-people ties, enhance cultural exchange, and show goodwill.

UPSC Linkage:

• GS II: Bilateral Relations, Cultural Exchange

• GS IV: Ethics – Respect for beliefs, pluralism

📌 PYQ – UPSC Mains (2013):
"The growing closeness between India and China is reflected in their mutual interest in cultural and religious tourism like Kailash Mansarovar. Discuss the potential and limits of such soft diplomacy."

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✈️ 2. Direct Flights & Trade Diplomacy: The Road to Normalisation?

Topic: Bilateral & Multilateral Trade (GS Paper II + GS Paper III)

Highlights:

• India and China are negotiating the resumption of direct flights, aimed at boosting tourism, education exchange, and business.

• The trade relationship, although significant (~$135 billion in 2023), suffers due to:

  • FDI restrictions on Chinese companies,

  • India's national security concerns,

  • China’s informal curbs on Indian exports (like fertilizers and rare earths).

UPSC Linkage:

• GS III: Economic Development – FDI, Trade Agreements

• GS II: India-China Trade

📌 PYQ – UPSC Mains (2020):
"How far is India's decision to restrict Chinese investments post-Galwan justified in light of WTO norms and national interest?"

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🧭 3. SCO Summit 2025 and Regional Cooperation

Topic: Regional and Global Groupings (GS Paper II)

Details:

• Tianjin SCO Summit (Aug 31–Sep 1, 2025)

• India’s support seen via participation of NSA Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar.

• However, absence of joint declaration on terrorism over Kashmir-related wording highlights deep divides.

UPSC Linkage:

• GS II: International Organisations – SCO, BRICS

• GS IV: Ethics in international conduct

📌 PYQ – UPSC Mains (2019):
"The SCO is not just a security alliance but a platform for regional trust-building. Discuss in the context of India’s participation."

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🔥 4. Border Tensions and LAC Progress

Topic: Security Challenges & Border Management (GS Paper III)

Facts:

• Post-Galwan, tensions have eased in some friction points.

• Dec 2024: Six-point consensus at Kazan

• March 2025: 33rd WMCC meeting agreed to maintain peace along the LAC.

• However, demobilisation is incomplete, and mutual distrust persists.

UPSC Linkage:

• GS III: Security – LAC, China policy

• GS II: India’s Neighbours

📌 PYQ – UPSC Mains (2022):
"India-China border tensions reflect a deeper geopolitical struggle. Evaluate the effectiveness of current confidence-building mechanisms."

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🕊️ 5. China-Pakistan Equation: A Thorn in India-China Relations

Topic: Triangular Diplomacy (GS II)

Details:

• Accusations by Indian Army over Chinese tech/military assistance to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

• China reiterated neutrality and promoted dialogue.

• India perceives China-Pakistan nexus as a security threat, especially in PoK and CPEC areas.

UPSC Linkage:

• GS II: International Relations

• GS III: Internal Security Threats

📌 PYQ – UPSC Mains (2020):
"Explain the strategic significance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and India’s concerns over it."

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🕉️ 6. The Tibet Issue & Dalai Lama Factor

Topic: Ethics, Religion, Foreign Policy (GS II + GS IV)

China’s Stand:

• Tibet is an “internal matter”.

• Opposes Dalai Lama’s birthday greetings, sees him as a separatist.

• Reincarnation issue viewed as state-controlled.

• Open to talks only if Dalai Lama renounces separatism.

India’s Position:

• MEA maintains “no position” on reincarnation.

• China's reaction indicates how religious figures influence diplomacy.

UPSC Linkage:

• GS II: Foreign Policy, Tibet Issue

• GS IV: Religion, Sovereignty, Ethics

📌 PYQ – UPSC Mains (2011):
"Discuss India’s handling of the Dalai Lama issue in light of China’s sensitivities. What should be India’s long-term approach?"

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🌍 7. “SAARC Minus India”? China's South Asia Moves

Topic: India’s neighbourhood policy (GS II)

Current Scenario:

• China holds parallel forums (e.g., China-South Asia Expo, China-Bangladesh-Pakistan meet).

• India excluded from several of these.

• China argues these are inclusive platforms, but India perceives marginalisation.

China's PIE Approach:

• Political Trust

• Inclusive Cooperation

• Economic Empowerment

UPSC Linkage:

• GS II: Regional Diplomacy – South Asia

• GS III: Trade and Economy

📌 PYQ – UPSC Mains (2017):
"What are the implications of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for India’s neighbourhood policy?"

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🔍 Conclusion: Way Forward for UPSC Aspirants

“Geopolitics is not just about power, but about perception and people.”

• For Prelims: Focus on SCO, KMY routes, Map-based questions (Tibet, Xinjiang, Indian borders)

• For Mains: Practice answer writing around strategic trust, cultural diplomacy, trade frictions.

• For Essay/Ethics: Use themes of soft power, mutual respect, regional cooperation, religious diplomacy.

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📘 Additional Resources for UPSC Preparation

• NCERTs: Geography (Class 9-12), Contemporary World Politics

• MEA & MHA Websites

• Suryavanshi IAS Study Material

• The Hindu, Indian Express Editorials

• Yojana/Kurukshetra – Border Management, Religious Harmony

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🎯 Contact Suryavanshi IAS

📞 6306446114
📍 Rahul Vihar Near Tulsi Car Care, Indira Nagar, Lucknow
🌐 suryavanshiias.blogspot.com
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