Mountain Pass on China-India Border Reopens

The Nathu La pass, situated at an altitude of 4,545 metres between Yadong County in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region and India’s Sikkim state, resumed cross-border trade operations on Saturday, local authorities confirmed on Sunday. The strategic trade route had been temporarily closed since 2020. Prior to the closure, the total import and export value through the pass surpassed 73 million yuan (approximately 10.8 million US dollars) in 2019. Yadong County serves as a strategic gateway for China’s trade with South Asian nations. Gong Shijun, head of Yadong County, stated that the reopening of the Nathu La pass creates new prospects for reciprocal trade between communities on both sides. Earlier this year, during the annual session of the regional people’s congress, authorities announced that Xizang plans to further expand high-level openness by opening 12 new border trade points this year, in addition to the 14 traditional border trade locations already in operation.