KATHMANDU: India and China have resumed border trade through the Lipulekh Pass despite Nepal’s continued objection, with the first group of Indian traders entering Tibet on Saturday.
Indian media reported that border trade through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district has resumed after a six-year suspension.

In the first phase, a 20-member Indian team led by Indo-Tibetan Trade Association president Jeevan Singh Raukli, including 16 registered traders and four assistants, completed immigration formalities at Gunji before proceeding to the pass.

According to Dharchula Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ashish Joshi, Chinese authorities completed formalities at Lipulekh at 10:15 am on Saturday and allowed the Indian traders to enter Tibet’s Taklakot market, officially opening the 2026 border trade season.

Joshi said Chinese authorities are being contacted regarding permission for additional registered traders, and further groups will be sent in phases once approval is received.
Nepal considers Lipulekh to be part of its territory, located about 56 kilometers east of Limpiyadhura along Nepal’s western border.

The issue had resurfaced earlier when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a visit to India, agreed with Indian counterparts to reuse the Lipulekh route for border trade without consulting Nepal, prompting a formal objection from Kathmandu.