India and China Agree to Resume Border Trade; Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Shipki La Under Discussion
India and China have reached an important agreement to reopen trade routes through key mountain passes—Shipki La, Lipulekh, and Nathu La—reconnecting border regions and revitalizing cross-border commerce. Trade through these mountain passes had been halted in 2020 amid the global COVID-19 crisis.
India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, officially informed the Himachal Pradesh government of the decision, underscoring the revival of bilateral cooperation between India and China. The reopening is expected to benefit local economies and revive centuries-old commercial and cultural ties between border communities.
In a related move, both countries have also shown intent to reinstate and broaden pilgrimage access to sacred sites such as Mount Kailash, Lake Mansarovar, and Gang Renpoche by 2026. Talks are underway to include the Shipki La route as an official entry point for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which could offer a more efficient and accessible alternative for pilgrims.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a strong advocate for reopening Shipki La, highlighted the strategic and logistical advantages of the route, especially via Gartok to Darchen and Mansarovar. He highlighted that the current connectivity between Rampur Bushahr, Pooh, and Shipki La provides a crucial foundation for creating the facilities needed to accommodate pilgrims.
The Himachal Pradesh government is set to work with the Union Ministry of Commerce to finalize the required legal and procedural arrangements. Authorities anticipate that the resumption of trade and pilgrimages will not only boost regional development but also foster greater cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries.
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