The Hindu Business Line : Nathula border: No significant achievement in volume of trade

Below expectations: The picture shows a long line of Chinese vehicles waiting at the Sherathang trade mart, around seven kilometres from the Nathula border trade point on the India-China frontier in Sikkim, on Wednesday. The bilateral exchange has not been as good as expected for a variety of reasons not the least of which is the delay on the part of New Delhi to expand the list of items which can be officially traded at the Nathula point. —

Sarikah Athreya

Gangtok, Nov. 29

The Nathula border trade completed two years today, without any significant achievement, as far as volume of trade is concerned.Despite the low key trading, the Sherathang Trade Mart on the Sikkimese side wore a cheerful look, with traders from both the regions optimistic about next year’s prospects. Matters turned emotional when both Chinese traders from TAR as well as Sikkimese traders exchanged white khadas (traditional silk scarfs), hugs and final goodbyes with promises to return next year to resume trade.Soon after, the Trade Mart turned into a high-altitude picnic spot with the Tibetan traders, well known for their hospitality and merry making, laid out a lavish spread of Tibetan and Chinese delicacies and invited the Sikkimese traders, curious tourists and Government officials present to join in the revelry.

celebratory mood

The weather threatened to play spoilsport, but nothing seemed to dampen the spirits of the traders from the two sides who were clearly in a celebratory mood at 14,000 ft. There was heavy fog and sub-zero temperatures perhaps being reflective of the disappointing trade volume.

The Tibetan traders entertained the gathering with impromptu presentation of Tibetan folk dances. Some even danced to popular Hindi songs.Since the trade began for the second year from May 1 this year, official figures put the total business transaction through this pass at around Rs 34.60 lakh only. The Sikkimese traders managed to export items worth Rs 27.80 lakh while the Tibetan traders came in a poor second by notching business worth Rs 6.80 lakh only.

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