Trade between India and China through the high‑altitude Nathula Pass in Sikkim has officially resumed after a six‑year suspension, marking the revival of one of the region’s oldest commercial corridors along the ancient Silk Route. The reopening took place on Saturday, with officials from both countries attending a formal ceremony at the pass.
The border trade route had been closed since 2020, following the Covid‑19 pandemic and a sharp deterioration in bilateral ties after tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Its resumption is seen as a cautiously optimistic step toward restoring limited economic engagement, even as broader geopolitical issues remain unresolved.
Sikkim’s Commerce and Industries Department Secretary Karma D Youtso announced that trade will operate Monday to Thursday until November, under the existing bilateral protocol. This seasonal arrangement reflects the challenging terrain and weather conditions at Nathula, which sits at an altitude of nearly 14,000 feet.
A total of 38 registered traders have been issued passes for the 2026 season. Around 36 notified items—including handicrafts, handloom products, woollen garments, carpets, and traditional artefacts—are permitted for exchange. Local officials say the reopening is expected to boost the regional economy, generating business for traders, transport operators, labourers, and ancillary services dependent on cross‑border commerce.
Security arrangements have also been strengthened. The Indo‑Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is enforcing strict Standard Operating Procedures, and additional personnel—including a women’s platoon for the first time—have been deployed to manage movement and ensure compliance.
Nathula was originally reopened for trade in 2006, more than four decades after its closure following the 1962 India–China war. Its revival today is viewed as a symbolic gesture of stability amid otherwise strained relations.