MEA cautions Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims against incomplete travel documents

The Ministry of external affairs (MEA) has issued an advisory for Indian citizens undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through private tour operators, urging pilgrims not to begin their journey without securing all mandatory travel documents.The advisory comes after several Indian pilgrims were reportedly stranded in Nepal due to the absence of valid Chinese visas and entry permits."Commencing travel without confirmed documentation or in anticipation of obtaining the necessary documentation increases the likelihood of being stranded," the ministry said.The MEA also urged pilgrims to verify that their tour operator is duly registered and authorised before booking the pilgrimage.52 Indian pilgrims stranded in KathmanduThe advisory follows reports that around 52 Indian citizens travelling to Kailash Mansarovar are currently stranded in Kathmandu and require urgent assistance to continue their 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 intervene."About 52 Indian citizens travelling to Kailash Mansarovar are currently stranded in Kathmandu, Nepal, and are in need of urgent assistance," Sule said in a post on X.She urged EAM S Jaishankar, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the Indian Embassy in Beijing and the MEA to extend necessary support and facilitate the pilgrims' safe onward journey.The development 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 resumption of the pilgrimage route.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.