Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Trade across the Nathu La Pass started again on August 1. It ended a six year freeze. The historic Silk Route corridor had remained shut since 2020. COVID-19 and border tensions between India and China caused the initial closure.
Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba lauded the move on Monday, August 3. He views the reopening as a win for the state. Subba credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for the result. Subba stated, "The resumption of Nathu La border trade is a proud and significant moment not only for the people of Sikkim but for the entire nation."
The route serves as a conduit for goods and culture. It supports local entrepreneurs, transporters, and the tourism sector. Subba believes it will bring jobs to border communities. Beyond economics, the opening facilitates the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This strengthens the strategic standing of Sikkim. Subba emphasized the broader diplomatic value of the crossing. He expects the route to act as a bridge for peace. Officials now face the task of protecting the fragile Himalayan ecosystem while managing the new influx of commerce.
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