Nathula Border trade between India and China begins

Nathu La, Sikkim, May 1 (UNI) Compared to last year's rapturous opening, the second year of the Nathu La border trade between India and China began today on a sober note with 13 Sikkimese traders and 29 Tibetan traders taking part on the first day's proceedings.

The trade will continue up to November 30. Originally, the border trade was to be held four months every year starting from June 1 to September 30.

With the Centre informing about the preponing of the border trade in a short notice, the state government could manage to issue the mandatory trade passes to only twenty Sikkimese traders till late last evening. Out of this, thirteen traders under the banner of Indo-China Border Traders Association of Sikkim crossed the Nathu La border today at around 11 am towards Donqingang trade mart, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) 17 kms away from Nathu La.

"Since today is the first day, we are going to the Donqingang trade mart to meet our counterparts and discuss about the trade and understand the market potential," said Mr Anil Kumar Gupta, General Secretary, Indo-China Border Traders Association moments before crossing the border.

Mr Gupta had also been awarded the best trader award last year by the TAR trade authorities. He had also brought a truckload of food items along with his trading partner at Sherathang Trade Mart for sale.

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