RED LETTER DAY: Chinese traders cross into Indian territory after the Nathu La Pass was reopened on Thursday. — Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury

NATHU LA: India and China on Thursday formally inaugurated trade through the Nathu La Pass, linking Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). The 4,310-metre-high pass was closed 44 years ago after the 1962 conflict.

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and TAR Chairman Qiangba Phuntsog jointly did the honours in the presence of Ministers and senior officials from the two sides at "zero point."

One hundred Indian traders crossed into the Chinese area and an equal number of Chinese traders crossed into the Indian territory after the inaugural ceremony. Trading will be on from Monday to Thursday, 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. from June 1 to September 30 every year.

In the inaugural address, the TAR Chairman said India and China had taken an "important step forward" in advancing their friendly relations.

Enhancing trade

Calling for construction of facilities at the border to enhance trade, he said the trade route had been reopened in the India-China friendship year. "May China and India be friendly for generations."

At Nathu La, Mr. Chamling said: "Let this trade route build trust, confidence and wisdom in the consolidation of ever flourishing relations between India and China."

A beginning had been made for "bigger things" to come. "People from both countries will stand to witness this event as the harbinger of flourishing trade, deeper understanding, wider cooperation and durable friendship between the two emerging world powers from Asia."

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