Indo-Tibet trade via Shipki La to resume in June

Indo-Tibet trade through the Shipki La Pass is set to resume from June this year after remaining suspended since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Himachal Pradesh Tribal Development and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said on Sunday.

The minister noted that earlier restrictions, imposed due to security concerns and other factors, had limited access for traders and tourists in the border region. With conditions improving, the revival of trade is expected to provide a boost to local commerce and generate employment opportunities, particularly in Kinnaur district and nearby areas.

He said traditional trade had remained stalled for several years, despite repeated demands from local traders’ unions and associations seeking its restoration. Expressing optimism, Negi stated that trading activities are likely to begin in June, subject to favourable weather conditions in the high-altitude region. The minister also appealed to the Union government to improve road connectivity to Shipki La, highlighting that constructing just a few kilometres of road would significantly ease travel for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. He added that better infrastructure would not only shorten the pilgrimage route but also promote tourism and adventure activities in the region.

Indo-Tibetan trade has deep historical roots. A formal agreement signed in 1697 between Tibet and the Bushahar kingdom ensured safe passage for traders along the ancient Hindustan-Tibet route. Trade was traditionally conducted through a barter system, with Tibetan traders bringing wool, salt, and silk, while Indian traders supplied goods such as rice, textiles, tea, and metalware. The trade was disrupted after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, before limited operations resumed in 1994. However, it was halted again during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, impacting livelihoods dependent on cross-border exchange.