Dharchula: India-China border trade through the Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh district is set to resume this year after a gap of six years. Located at an altitude of over 17,000 feet, the trade route had remained closed since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions.
After receiving clearance from the central government, the district administration has intensified preparations for restarting the trade. However, traders in the border region remain uncertain as the official date for commencement of trade in June has not yet been announced.
District Magistrate Ashish Kumar Bhatgain has held review meetings with various departments following approval from the Ministry of External Affairs and directed officials to complete preparations.
Border Trade Association president Jeevan Singh Ronkli and general secretary Daulat Singh Rayta said traders are hopeful as the trade will restart after six years. They said the motor road facility developed in 2020 is expected to reduce transportation cost and travel time compared to the earlier dependence on horses and mules.
Under the border trade system, items such as clothes, spices, jaggery and agricultural tools are exported from India, while jackets, Tibetan shoes, pashmina products, salt and chirbi are imported from China. The revised import-export list for this year is yet to be released.
The India-China Border Trade Committee has also placed several demands before the government, including subsidised shops and warehouses for Indian traders in Taklakot, extension of the trade period till November 30, deployment of customs and immigration staff, and establishment of a quarantine facility in Gunji for imported livestock.
