Annual Indo-China border trade through Lipulekh off this year due to Coronavirus pandemic

The Indo-China border trade through Lipulekh pass in Pithoragarh which used to start from June 1 has not started this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The local Bhutia tribal traders who used to go to China through the pass for the annual barter trade have refused to do so this year. The traders conveyed their decision to the district administration which had conveyed a preparatory meeting for the annual trade last week.

AK Shukla, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Dharchula said that the Indian traders have refused to go to China for annual barter trade due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Vishan Garbiyal, president of the Bharat-Cheen Vyapar Sangathan, a local body of tribal traders who used to participate in the annual exercise, said that since China is the epicentre of Coronavirus epidemic, the traders are not willing to go there as a precautionary measure this year.

There has no word from the Central government on commencement of the annual border trade this year, according to district administration officials.

The age old Indo-China border trade between tribal population across the border was disrupted after the 1962 Indo-China war. It was resumed in 1992 through the 17,000 feet high Lipulekh pass. The Indian traders used to go to the Tibetan Chinese town of Taklakot while Chinese traders are allowed up to Gunji with their goods. The border trade, which starts on June 1, continues till mid-October.

The Indian traders import Tibetan wool, woollen goods, shoes, jackets in lieu of sugar, jiggery and steel utensils. They use mule trains to import and export goods in the high mountainous area.

Of late, Lipulekh pass and the road built by Border Road Organisation (BRO) up to the strategic pass at the tri-junction of India-Nepal and China has been in controversy following objections raised by Nepal.