Shipki La Pass trade still lags

Trade has not picked up in the last 14 years between India and China through the Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh, after it was opened in 1993.

The two neighbours have been trying to revive trade ties through the Shipki La Pass and other Himalayan passes and restore it to what it was before the 1962 war.

The 5,200-metre high Shipki La Pass, around 300 km from here, is on the banks of the Sutlej river in tribal Kinnaur district. It opened to traders from both sides late last week after remaining closed for trade due to snow for seven months, say officials here.

"Last summer, barely 18 traders applied for passes to trade with their Chinese counterparts in no man's land," said TD Negi, manager of the Kinnaur district industries department.

"Goods worth Rs 4,68,060 were exported to China while goods worth Rs 2,89,010 were imported by Indian traders," he said.

Indian traders sell wheat flour, rice, dry fruits, coffee, jaggery,pulses, herbs and spices. Woollen jackets, shoes,silk,crockery and electronic goods are purchased from Chinese traders.

Trade on the Shipki La Pass was restored in 1993 after being closed in 1962 due to the Chinese aggression.

Since last year, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been constructing a motorable road from the Indian side to connect the high pass.

The state police has set up a check post, which is manned by the Customs department and will start operating from Friday.