New Delhi – The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has assured Union Minister Shri George Kurian that it will take all necessary steps to safely repatriate over 3,000 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, including a significant number of Malayalees, who are stranded in China’s Darchen region. The pilgrims have been unable to return to Nepal due to the closure of the Nepal-China border following the recent political unrest.
The issue came to light after the pilgrims contacted Minister Kurian directly to inform him of their predicament. They are reportedly facing a shortage of food and other essential supplies and are concerned about their safety and well-being.
Upon receiving the information, Minister Kurian promptly reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs.
He urged the MEA to act swiftly to ensure the safe return of the stranded pilgrims. The MEA has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and has given its firm assurance that it is in touch with both the Chinese and Nepali authorities to facilitate the pilgrims’ return.
Officials from the MEA stated that they are exploring various options, including arranging for special flights or negotiating with authorities to open the border for the pilgrims’ passage. The Indian Embassy in Beijing is also working in coordination with the local administration to provide all possible assistance to the stranded individuals. The government has stressed that the safety of the pilgrims is its top priority.
