Why in news?
Sikkim's Rajya Sabha MP Dorjee Tshering Lepcha urged the central government on December 10, 2025, to reopen the Nathu La trade route and provide relief to affected traders, porters, and border communities.
About Nathu La trade route
- Nathu La Pass serves as a key India-China border trading point in Sikkim, historically vital for commerce until its closure post-1962 war and reopening in 2006.
- Trade volumes have remained modest due to seasonal limits and infrastructure challenges, with recent agreements signaling resumption after a pandemic-induced halt.​
Location and Geography
- Situated at 4,310 meters in the Dongkya Range, connecting Sikkim's Gangtok to China's Chumbi Valley.​
- One of three official border trade posts alongside Shipki La and Lipulekh Pass.​
- Open seasonally from May to November due to extreme cold and snowfall.​
Trade Items and Operations
- India exports 29+ items (e.g., tea, spices, textiles, shoes); imports 15+ (e.g., raw wool, yak tails, borax).​
- Operates Mondays to Thursdays; duty-exempt for listed goods.​
- Pre-2020 volumes peaked modestly (e.g., ₹63 crore exports in 2016), far below projections.​
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