India-China border trade via Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand to resume after 6 years; 26 trade passes issued

New Delhi (Raghwendra Pratap Singh) : The first batch of 26 Indian traders is expected to enter the Chinese territory of Tibet through Lipulekh pass in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand tomorrow, marking the resumption of border trade after a gap of six years. The India-China border trade originally resumed in 1991 but was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trade Officer and Dharchula Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ashish Joshi said that 26 trade passes have been issued, which include 17 traders and nine helpers. A customs office has also been opened at Gunji to facilitate the process. Mr Joshi informed that traders have already stored their goods in warehouses at villages near the Lipulekh pass.

The administration has received applications from more than 103 traders and is currently planning to issue trade passes for a second batch of 25 traders shortly. To assist the traders, the administration has designated a spot near Nabhidhang for mules and horses to transport goods to the Lipulekh pass, which is located nearly 600 metres from the site.