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Nathu La pass likely to be reopened on June 30

Special Correspondent

Indian delegation to meet Chinese officials in Lhasa next week

KOLKATA: India has reportedly suggested June 30 as the date for reopening the Nathu La pass in Sikkim for resumption of trade through the old Silk Route with China. This is expected to be communicated to the Chinese officials by an Indian delegation in Lhasa next week.

The date was decided upon at a meeting of senior officials of nine ministries concerned and those representing the Sikkim Government in New Delhi on June 7, Director, Commerce and Industry, Sikkim, S. P. Subba, told The Hindu from Gangtok on Tuesday.

The final schedule would, however, depend on the Chinese Government, Mr. Subba said. ``The date is expected to be finalised in the course of the meeting between officials of the two countries in Lhasa," he said.

The visit to Lhasa by an Indian delegation comprising Central officials and a Sikkim Government official has been deferred by a day, according to Mr. Subba. The team will now leave on June 16 and is expected to visit the trade mart set up by the Chinese authorities at Ringchingang in Tibet before returning to the country via the Nathu La pass, through which trade has remained suspended since the China-India war in 1962.

Infrastructure ready

The infrastructure for border trade in the Indian side has already been set up over 9.5 acres at Sheratang at an altitude of nearly 13,500 feet in the East Sikkim district, according to Mr. Subba.

Temporary warehouses for items to be traded, an office of the Indian Customs and a telephone exchange are among the installations that have been set up.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police will be entrusted with the job of maintaining security once trade, which initially will be confined to local exchange of goods, is resumed, he added.

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Nathu La pass likely to be reopened on June 30

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