New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday issued an advisory for Indian citizens planning to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through private tour operators, following reports that several pilgrims were stranded in Nepal due to the absence of mandatory travel documents.
In an official statement, the MEA said it had received multiple requests for assistance from Indian citizens who had travelled to Nepal without obtaining the required Chinese visa and entry permits necessary for the pilgrimage.
The Ministry advised pilgrims not to begin their journey from India until all mandatory travel documents for the complete yatra have been secured. It cautioned that travelling without confirmed documentation, or in the expectation of obtaining the required permits later, significantly increases the risk of being stranded during the journey.
The advisory also urged pilgrims to verify that their tour operator is duly registered and authorised before booking the pilgrimage.
According to the MEA, around 52 Indian pilgrims are currently stranded in Kathmandu, Nepal, and require assistance for their safe onward journey.
The issue was raised by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, who appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian embassies in Nepal and China to provide immediate support to the affected pilgrims.
In a post on social media platform X, Sule said, “Around 52 Indian citizens travelling to Kailash Mansarovar are currently stranded in Kathmandu, Nepal, and are in need of urgent assistance.”
She requested External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, the Embassy of India in Beijing, and the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and ensure the pilgrims’ safe onward journey.
The advisory comes days after the first batch of pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 crossed into China through the Nathu La Pass on the India-China border on June 20, marking the commencement of this year’s pilgrimage.