With the Chinese government stalling the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from the Sikkim route this year, pilgrims who had to return from Gangtok have expressed their disappointment over cancellation of the yatra at the last moment. Stranded in Gangtok, exasperated pilgrims have been making desperate calls to the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi seeking clarity on the status of the yatra. However, the yatra was later called off and the Sikkim government made arrangements for the pilgrims to return to their respective locations from Gangtok. Confirming the development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said, "Out of security considerations we have put off pilgrimages by Indian pilgrims through the Chinese pass." But despite the disappointment, there were some who said that the Indian government should never bow down to Chinese pressure.

Source: India Today June 27, 2017 16:07 UTC