Historic Indo-Tibetan Trade Route at Shipki-La Poised to Reopen with Chinese Approval

After concerted efforts by the Himachal Pradesh government, the Indo-Tibetan trade route through Shipki-La is set to reopen, marking a significant development. The Chinese government has given its in-principle approval to the proposal, which occurred during the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India. This breakthrough was spurred by the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s direct involvement, who had written to the Union government advocating for the revival of this historic trade route. The Union government then took the matter to China, resulting in an agreement to restart trade. The state government will now collaborate with the Union Commerce Ministry to address the necessary administrative requirements. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed that the Indian government has initiated discussions with China to resume border trade at all three designated points: Shipki-La (Himachal Pradesh), Lipulekh (Uttarakhand), and Nathu La (Sikkim), which had been closed since 2020 due to COVID-19. The Chief Minister had highlighted Shipki-La’s importance as a former Silk Route offshoot and its role in Indo-China relations, emphasizing its significance for trans-Himalayan economic and cultural exchanges. Additionally, the state government has received positive indications about the possibility of resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) via Shipki-La. The Chief Minister noted that the Shipki-La route, connecting through Gartok towards Darchen and Mansarovar, is shorter on the Tibetan side. Road connectivity already exists up to Shipki-La, making it feasible to develop necessary infrastructure for the Yatra. The External Affairs Minister indicated that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has recommenced through Lipulekh Pass and Nathu La Pass, and that discussions are underway to include Shipki-La as another route. The state government believes these initiatives will revitalize trade and foster opportunities in tourism, cultural exchange, and economic development within Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister has expressed gratitude to the Union government for prioritizing these concerns in discussions with China.