This is an answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs (Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh) to Unstarred Question No. 1227, asked by Ms. Kangna Ranaut in the Lok Sabha on February 6, 2026. The question concerns the status and safeguards of border trade between India and China.
India's existing bilateral arrangements with China designate three points for conducting border trade: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand (since 1992), Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh (since 1995), and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim (since 2006). Trade through these points was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. During the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in August 2025, both sides agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated trading points, including Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh. The government remains committed to developing its border regions.
Key Entities Referenced
India-China border trade: Refers to the bilateral trade between India and China at designated border points.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign relations, including border trade negotiations.
Lipulekh Pass: A border pass in Uttarakhand, India, used for trade with China.
Shipki La Pass: A border pass in Himachal Pradesh, India, used for trade with China.
Nathu La Pass: A border pass in Sikkim, India, used for trade with China.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1227
ANSWERED ON-06/02/2026
STATUS AND SAFEGUARDS OF BORDER TRADE
1227. MS. KANGNA RANAUT
Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:-
(a) the current status of trade facilitation arrangements after
discussions to resume border trade between India and China at Lipulekh,
Shipki La and Nathu La;
(b) the safeguards proposed to ensure economic engagement along with
national security considerations; and
(c) the proposed benefits for the local communities in Himachal Pradesh
following resumption of border trade between India and China?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to c) India’s existing bilateral arrangements with China designate
three points for conducting border trade between the two countries:
1Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand (since 1992), Shipki La Pass in Himachal
Pradesh (since 1995), and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim (since 2006).
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, trade through all these points
was disrupted. During the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in
August 2025, both sides agreed to the re-opening of border trade
through the three designated trading points, including Shipki La Pass in
Himachal Pradesh.
Government remains fully committed to the development of its border
regions and makes all efforts to secure and promote them.
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