Border trade between India and China through Uttarakhand’s Lipulekh Pass is scheduled to resume on August 1, reopening a route that has remained shut since 2019. The restart marks a significant development for traders in the Pithoragarh region and along the border belt.
According to the update, China has cleared 20 Indian traders to cross the border and travel to Purang. Their visit is meant to assess preparedness on the ground and review available stock before regular trade activity begins again.
The Lipulekh route has long been important for local commerce, and its closure during the pandemic disrupted a key economic link for the area. The planned reopening is therefore being seen as an important step for restoring cross-border business that supports the wider regional economy.
With the August 1 date now set, attention is turning to how smoothly the first movement of traders takes place and whether trade operations can return to a stable routine after a gap of more than six years.
