China to open Nathu La route to Kailash Mansarovar

New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) China will be opening an additional route to Kailash Mansarovar via Nathu La, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.

"I would like to thank (Chinese president) Xi Jinping on behalf of all Indians for a new route to Kailash Mansarovar. This new route, which will be opened through Nathu La, will be in addition to the existing route via Uttarakhand," Modi said during a joint press interaction with Xi at Hyderabad House here.

Modi said this decision will help more and more Indians reach Kailash Mansarovar, in particular the old, as transportation on motorcycles would be available on the new route.

"The pilgrims will be benefitted in a big way. Besides that, this road will remain safe during the rainy season, too," Modi added.