India-China trade through Shipli La resumes after six years
Cross-border trade between India and China via the Shipki La pass has resumed after a six-year hiatus. The Himachal Pradesh government has inaugurated a new trade mart to support the barter-based exchange.
Why it matters
The resumption of this historic trade route signals a potential thaw in regional economic relations and aims to boost the economy of remote border areas.
The cross-border trade between India and China through Shipki La, known as the ancient Silk Route joining India with Tibet, resumed on Saturday (August 1, 2026) after a gap of six years.
Himachal Pradesh Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday (August 1, 2026) flagged off 16 traders after presenting traditional Khataks (ceremonial scarves) along with their horses towards Shipki village in Tibet.
The Minister said that the exchange of various goods would take place via a barter system and that the traders would have to return after conducting trade in the Tibetan region for 72 hours.
He also inaugurated a modern trade mart (Chhuppan Trade Mart) constructed in the Shipki La area in the border Gram Panchayat of Namgya in Himachal's Kinnaur district at a cost of ₹1.70 crore to facilitate border trade, a statement issued in Shimla said.
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