Uncertainty over Indo-China border trade from Lipulekh pass
Uncertainty over Indo-China border trade from Lipulekh pass
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Aug 30
The Pithoragarh district administration has sought guidance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding the ongoing uncertainty facing tribal traders involved in the Indo-China border trade through the Lipulekh Pass. The move comes after Chinese authorities in Tibet stopped allowing further batches of Indian traders to enter after the initial group of 16 crossed over on August 1.
Ashish Joshi, Trade Officer and SDM of Dharchula, stated that a letter has been sent through the Pithoragarh District Magistrate to the MEA for instructions. “No further batches of traders, nor the additional goods required by the 16 traders currently in Tibet, have been permitted by Chinese authorities since August 1. We are awaiting a response from the ministry,” Joshi said.
Despite regular communications sent to Chinese officials since August 10, local authorities have received no response. “This has created a crisis for the traders currently in Taklakot. They are running out of merchandise and have no access to fresh supplies for their shops,” the Trade Officer added.
Indian authorities issued over 170 trade passes this year to 62 traders and their helpers. However, with movement stalled, goods stored by other traders at the Gunji base mart on the Indian side are beginning to deteriorate due to prolonged storage.
Traders in Tibet are also facing new administrative hurdles. “Chinese authorities have stopped recognizing our trade passes as valid identity cards this year. As a result, banks are refusing to open the accounts necessary for conducting business,” said Shalu Datal, a trader from Dantu village in the Darma Valley. “Trade ran smoothly until 2019, but the new rules enforced by Chinese authorities this year have made operations extremely difficult.”
