The India China bilateral trade through the famous Silk Route reopened on Monday 19 May, but amidst a new border row. In the latest spat with India, China has now demanded a small strip of land in north Sikkim. The border trade through the Nathu La between India and China was earlier decided to be opened on 1 May, but got deferred due to landslides in the Tibet Autonomous Region.  

 

As per Ujwal Gurung, Sikkim's director of industry and commerce, it was Beijing which asked India to delay the start of the bilateral trade this year. He further informed that the formal trade between the two countries will continue from 19 May to 30 November this year. But this development is accompanied by Beijing once again starting a border-related quarrel with India as it wants a strip of land near Sikkim’s Gyangyong village.

 

It was in July 2006 that the India and China re-initiated bilateral trade through the historic Nathu La Pass, which is 52 km from Sikkim's capital Gangtok. It happened to be the very first direct trade connection between India and China since its border war in 1962. As per the contract inked by the two nations, trade will resume through the Nathu La Pass every year from 1 May till 30 November when the area becomes blacked due to incessant snowing.