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India, China Agree to Resume Border Trade via Shipki-La and Nathu-La
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had earlier urged the Centre to revive the historic India-Tibet trade route.
Shimla, Updated At : 20:39 PM Aug 24, 2025 IST
India and China have agreed to reopen border trade through three designated points—Lipulekh Pass, Shipki-La, and Nathu-La. The two sides also agreed to continue and expand Indian pilgrimages to Mount Kailash, Gang Rinpoche, and Lake Mansarovar from 2026 onwards.
According to an official spokesperson, the Himachal Pradesh government had been pursuing efforts to resume trade with China through Shipki-La in Kinnaur. During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to India, he held discussions with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on various bilateral matters. At the meeting, both ministers gave in-principle approval to the proposal of resuming border trade.
The spokesperson added that Chief Minister Sukhu had formally written to the Centre, seeking the revival of the historic India-Tibet trade route. Acting on his request, the Union government took up the matter with China, which ultimately led to this agreement. The state government will now place the matter before the Union Ministry of Commerce to complete the required formalities.
