India-Tibet border trade resumes after seven years

The annual barter trade between India and Tibet, which stopped in 2019 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, is starting again on August 1.

This trade happens at the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.

Indian traders will take things like rock sugar, jaggery, cosmetics, and groceries to Tibet and bring back wool, pashmina jackets, shoes, and other products.

However, traders are not very happy because the late start means they might lose money.

The trade season runs until October, and Tibetan buyers are less interested after August.

This year, 113 traders and their assistants have been given passes to participate.

The trade was also stopped after the 1962 India-China war but started again in 1992.