Will China Reopen Tibet-India Border Trade Points After Nepal?
After China reopened 14 border trade points between its occupied Tibet and Nepal on May 25, following a prolonged closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, traders on the Indian side of the border in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, are feeling neglected. They have appealed to New Delhi to address the issue with Beijing.
Indian traders in the region had been using the Lipulekh pass to travel to Tibet since 1992. However, this trade route was abruptly closed in 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing Indian traders to return from the Taklakot mart in Tibet, leaving behind their woollen merchandise. According to economictimes.com, five years have passed, and the route remains closed.
An organization of Indian border traders in Dharchula town, Pithoragarh district, has voiced their concerns. They started demanding the reopening of the trade route through Lipulekh after China recently reopened all 14 trade passes with Nepal.
“We have so far sent 22 applications to the government of India requesting it to take up the issue with the Chinese authorities to reopen the trade route through Lipulekh pass, but we have received no response so far,” said Jeewan Singh Rongkali, president of Bharat Tibetan Simant Vyapar Samiti, Dharchula.
Rongkali highlighted that Indian tribal traders from Dharchula alone had left trading items worth Rs 15 lakh in Taklakot Mart in Tibet at the time of the trade closure in 2019. He noted that over 450 Indian traders had been supplying essential goods to residents of more than 45 villages in western Tibet through this trade route since 1992.
“Out of over Rs 1.5 crore trade annually, we have paid lakhs of rupees in customs duty and other taxes to the government of India,” Rongkali added. He expressed concerns that the mart made for Indian traders in Gakkhu town of Taklakot could be handed over to Nepalese traders, given China’s reluctance to reopen passes along the India-China border.
The closure of the Lipulekh pass has significantly impacted the local economy, particularly for the Bhotia tribe, who have traditionally been involved in this cross-border trade. The lack of response from the Indian government has further exacerbated their frustrations, as they see China’s actions in reopening trade with Nepal as a move that could marginalize Indian traders.
China’s decision to reopen its border trade points with Nepal is seen as part of its broader strategy to strengthen economic ties with neighboring countries, while the continued closure of routes with India might be viewed within the context of the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two countries.
The Indian traders are urging the Indian government to negotiate with China to reopen the Lipulekh pass, which would not only restore their trade activities but also reinforce India’s presence and influence in the border regions. The reopening of this route is critical for the livelihoods of hundreds of traders and the economic well-being of several border villages.
The traders hope that with a new government soon taking power in Delhi, their longstanding issue will be prioritized, and diplomatic efforts will be intensified to reopen the vital trade route.
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