India-China Trade Through Lipulekh Pass Ends Five Days Early Amid Snowfall Warning
Border trade through Uttarakhand's Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh closed early this year as traders returned home ahead of forecast heavy snowfall in the high Himalayas.
Current Summary
India-China border trade through Uttarakhand's Lipulekh Pass ended on Monday, five days ahead of schedule, as Indian traders returned home amid warnings of heavy snowfall and severe weather in the high Himalayas. Trade during the shortened season was valued at about Rs 1.50 crore, with Indian exports to China worth Rs 74.95 lakh and imports totalling around Rs 75.51 lakh. Dharchula Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ashish Joshi said all traders returned safely. A total of 185 trade passes were issued this year, including 70 for traders and 115 for their helpers; of these, 47 people — 31 traders and 16 helpers — travelled to China for business. The trade takes place annually through Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh district and the Taklakot (Purang) market in Tibet. It was suspended after the 1962 war, resumed in 1992, halted again in 2019 for six years, and resumed this year in August after delays in preparing a new market and facilities in Taklakot, leaving traders a shorter business window.
What We Know
- Trade through Lipulekh Pass ended on Monday, five days ahead of schedule.
- All traders returned safely, per Dharchula SDM Ashish Joshi.
- Trade this season was valued at about Rs 1.50 crore (Rs 74.95 lakh exports, Rs 75.51 lakh imports).
- 185 trade passes were issued this year; 47 people actually travelled to China for business.
- Trade began in August this year after delays in readying the new Taklakot market.
What Is Still Unclear
- Whether the early closure will affect next year's trade schedule or arrangements.
What Changed
- 28 Oct, 07:00 pmSignal detected: India-China Trade Through Lipulekh Pass Ends Five Days Early Amid Snowfall Warning
Background
The centuries-old India-China border trade through Lipulekh Pass was suspended after the 1962 war, resumed in 1992, and halted again in 2019 for six years before resuming this year.