Sikkim Bears Brunt of Undeclared Suspension of Trade at Nathu La Pass by China

The disruption in bilateral trade between India and China via the Nathu La Pass has affected India more as official figures show India exported goods worth $10 million while it imported $2.8 million worth of goods through the strategic mountain pass in 2016.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — An undeclared trade suspension by China through the Nathu La pass has become a grave concern for Sikkim — a landlocked erstwhile Kingdom that joined India in 1975.

Sources told Sputnik that the Government of Sikkim has asked India's Ministry of External Affairs to take up the trade suspension issue with China and resolve the matter as soon as possible. The Nathu La pass is the shortest and the most suitable land route for trade between Indian and China but after the military stand-off at Doklam, trade via the route had been suspended for months. Post-the disengagement resolution in August, it was expected that cross-border trade would resume promptly, but traders from the Chinese side have not shown up yet.

"Traders from the Indian side had tried their best to begin transaction from the Nathu La pass again. Indian traders went up to the border but the Chinese did not come," a trader told to Sputnik on condition of anonymity.

Nathu La witnessed heaving cross-border trade and transactions every year between May and November, the winter months being a period of lull due to snowfall. However, this year trading took place only for 11 days as the troops' standoff at Doklam brought transactions to a grinding halt.

READ MORE: India, Palistan Army Commanders Hold Talks Amid Increasing Border Tensions

Sikkim risks incurring a heavy loss due to such disruption in cross-border trade. Chief Minister of the State Pawan Chamling had earlier kicked up a controversy by remarking that Sikkim did not join India in 1975 to become a sandwich between China and India.