India has opened talks with China to reopen three crucial Himalayan trade routes—Lipulekh (Uttarakhand), Shipki La (Himachal Pradesh), and Nathu La (Sikkim). This initiative comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to China at the end of August for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, marking his first trip to China since the 2020 Galwan clashes and 2018.
Trade through these border passes was suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened border tensions. Historically, these routes served as vital trade corridors for local Himalayan communities, fostering cultural and economic exchange.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed that India is actively engaged in discussions to resume cross-border commerce, signaling a potential diplomatic thaw between the two nations.
Analysts see the upcoming SCO Summit as a strategic platform to restore trust and revive regional trade ties, potentially paving the way for deeper cooperation in a post-pandemic era.
