Nathu La Pass all set for Thursday's historic border trade

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Nathu La Pass all set for Thursday's historic border trade

Nathu La (Sikkim), July 4 (IANS) India carried out a mock trading exercise Tuesday two days ahead of the formal reopening of the famed Silk Road for border trade with China, officials said.

Tuesday's 'dry run' at the 15,000-ft Nathu La Pass on the border between India's Sikkim state and China's Tibet region was held amid inclement weather and high velocity winds.

Formal trading between the two countries restarts here Thursday after a break of over four decades.

'Everything is in place and we are all ready for the big occasion when the border swings into action for formal trade between India and China,' Saman Prasad Subba, Sikkim's Tourism Director, told IANS here in Nathu La.

Among those likely to attend Thursday's inaugural ceremony at the pass includes the Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Yuxi and Tibet Autonomous Region chairman C. Phuntao. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling would represent India at the function.

India and China last month fixed July 6 as the date to set up their first direct trade link since a 1962 border war by reopening the Nathu La Pass, 52 km east of the Sikkim capital Gangtok.

The official said arrangements at the main trade mart at Sherathang, a small village some five km below the Nathu La Pass, was complete.

The trade mart spread over an area of eight acres is ready with 29 sheds put up for handling customs and immigrations, a bank, a telecommunication outlet, and other facilities.

'We are happy with the basic minimum infrastructure at both Nathu La and Sherathang. Some last minute instructions were given to ensure that the function passes off smoothly,' Subba said.

Amid spells of moderate to heavy rains sweeping this Himalayan range with mist and clouds hovering over the area, scores of workers and officials were busy giving finishing touches for Thursday's function. The chill and the blistery winds notwithstanding, the mood is optimistic with local tribal Lepchas and Bhutias in the area waiting eagerly for the trade to begin.

'At least the world knows that there are people living in this part of the world. The Nathu La trade has brought us hope,' said elderly Sonar Bhutia, a resident of a nearby village.

Business would be duty-free with India able to export 29 items ranging from textiles and blankets, agricultural implements, liquor, cigarettes, tea, barley, rice, vegetable oil and local herbs. Chinese traders would be able to trade in 15 items - horses to goats and sheep, yak tail, yak hair, goat skin, wool, and raw silk.

As per modalities worked out between the two countries, normal trade would begin each year on June 1 and continue till Sep 30 as the area after that would become impassable due to heavy snow and freezing weather conditions accompanied by high velocity winds.

Nathu La was a major trading point between the two countries before the 1962 war. It was also one of the main arteries of the Silk Road, which historically linked China via Central Asia to Europe. Beijing had in 2003 given up its territorial claim over Sikkim.

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Nathu La Pass all set for Thursday's historic border trade