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The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
What is the significance of the Shipki La pass?
The story so far: Himachal Pradesh has opened the Shipki La pass, a motorable mountain pass in the Kinnaur district, to domestic tourists, a step which locals hope will revitalise tourism and trade. What is its historical importance? Centuries before national borders and geopolitical tensions defined regions, the Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district served as a vital trade route between India and Tibet (now part of China). Situated at an elevation of 3,930 metres above sea level, the pass has been part of documented trade since the 15th century, although oral histories suggest its legacy extends even further back. According to folklore, cross-border trade was based on an oath sworn by communities on both sides — 'Till the water in Kailash Man Sarovar Lake does not dry, a black crow does not turn white, and the highest peak Rijo Pugal does not flatten, this trade agreement shall continue.' This poetic pledge symbolised an enduring bond that withstood centuries, until political realities disrupted it. Why was the trade route closed? The once-thriving commerce through Shipki La came to a standstill due to a series of geopolitical events. It was first disrupted after the Sino-India War of 1962, followed by further breakdowns post the Doklam standoff and the COVID-19 pandemic. The trade route remains shut to commercial exchange. Why has the recent intervention sparked enthusiasm? The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh inaugurated tourism access to Shipki La without the previously mandatory permit system. Indian tourists can now visit using just their Aadhaar card, a move that has stirred optimism across the region. The communities of Kinnaur, particularly those from Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, share a deep-rooted cultural and economic relationship with Tibetan counterparts. Historically, the Bushahr State (now Rampur) in India and Guge in Tibet were principal players in the region's trade. The Kinnaur Indo-China Trade Association, based in Reckong Peo, has voiced a formal appeal to reopen the trade route through Shipki La. The Chief Minister has assured that the issue will be taken up with the Ministry of External Affairs. What goods were traded? The commodities exchanged between India and Tibet through Shipki La were both diverse and valuable. Imports from Tibet included wool (the most profitable item), pack and saddle horses, goats, sheep, mutton, yak and goatskins, yak hair (used for ropes and saddlebags), devotional items such as prayer wheels, thangkas, rosaries, and bowls, as well as borax, turquoise, and gold. Exports to Tibet from India included grains such as barley, wheat, rice, millet, lentils, chickpeas, and oil, dried fruits, vegetables, spices, tobacco, timber, copper and brass utensils, and iron tools. Gold and turquoise were particularly cherished, which were integral to traditional Kinnauri women's jewellery — creating constant local demand and sustaining artisan communities. These exchanges weren't just transactional; they shaped cultural practices, local crafts, and even dietary habits across generations. If trade volume is limited, why is there still so much excitement? It's true that trade through the three land passes with China — including those in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand — does not account for a significant volume of bilateral trade. But enthusiasm for trade and tourism lie in connectivity and opportunity. Reopening Shipki La could shorten the journey from Delhi to Mansarovar by 14 days, a potential game-changer for religious tourism and cross-border travel. This could also boost employment for local youth, enhance regional trade infrastructure, and catalyse growth in hospitality and allied sectors. Additionally, the reopening may serve a strategic purpose as well — a soft diplomatic gesture and a community-led model of cross-border trust-building, independent of high-level state diplomacy. For a region often sidelined in national dialogues, such grassroots engagement could play a crucial role in shaping future peace corridors. What is the cultural connection? Unlike the India-Pakistan border, where cross-border blood relations exist, the India-China border around Shipki La is defined more by shared lifestyles than lineage. The people on both sides are primarily pastoralists, and many surnames overlap — for instance, the Namgyal surname is found both in Leh and across the Tibetan plateau. Cultural ties also endure through religion. Upper Kinnaur and the adjacent Tibetan region predominantly follow Buddhism, sustaining a spiritual and civilisational continuity even in the face of political divisions. Monastic traditions, festivals, and oral lore reflect a shared heritage that survives despite barriers of nationhood. Reopening Shipki La could become more than a regional story — it might just be a case study in diplomacy through development and heritage. Tikender Singh Panwar is former deputy mayor of Shimla, and member of the Kerala Urban Commission.
The Print
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Print
Himachal opens Shipki La pass to tourists. Significance of historical link for trade & pilgrimage
As he opened the pass for domestic tourists, Sukhu became only the second state chief minister to visit the high-altitude pass after Yashwant Singh Parmar. Former prime minister Indira Gandhi visited the region 1968. The strategic pass near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) may also work as a new route for the sacred Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. The tourism initiative, launched by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Tuesday, also aims to bolster the local economy and foster cultural exchange in the remote border region. Kalpa (Kinnaur): Himachal Pradesh has opened the Shipki La pass, a motorable mountain pass at an altitude of 3,930 metres in the tribal Kinnaur district, to domestic tourists, a significant step towards revitalising border tourism and reviving hopes of resuming India-China trade through the route stalled since 2020. The state government secured the Ministry of Defence's approval to open border areas, including Shipki La, Lepcha, Giu, and Rani Kanda to domestic visitors, easing restrictions imposed due to security concerns. 'Tourists can now experience the pristine beauty of Shipki La, one of the highest motorable passes in the region,' Sukhu said at a public gathering at the pass. 'This initiative will strengthen the local economy, create employment opportunities, and boost tourism in Kinnaur's border areas.' He urged the central government to engage with China to restart trade through the pass and to consider Shipki La as a viable route for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage revered by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. Also Read: Why Himachal is unwilling to release water for long-delayed Kishau multipurpose project A historical trade route Shipki La, through which the Sutlej River (known as Langqen Zangbo in Tibet) enters India, has long served as a vital trade corridor between India and Tibet. Historically, it facilitated the exchange of 37 export items from India—such as agricultural implements, copper products, clothes, tea, and spices—and 20 import items from China, such as wool, raw silk, yak tails, and herbal medicines. Trade through the pass resumed in 1992 after a hiatus following the 1962 India-China war but faced setbacks in recent years due to geopolitical tensions, notably the Doklam standoff, and was completely halted in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 'There are immense possibilities for trade and cultural exchange through Shipki La,' Sukhu said. 'We will raise the matter of restarting trade with the central government to restore this centuries-old route.' Hishey Negi, the president of the Kinnaur Indo-China Trade Association, wrote to the Kinnaur deputy commissioner last month to expedite discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs to resume trade from 1 June. He requested 150 trade passes for local traders, emphasising the economic lifeline that the trade provides to border villages. Namgya Panchayat pradhan Baldev Negi shared historical context with ThePrint, recalling a trade treaty signed centuries ago between the princely states of Ladakh, Rampur Bushahr, and Guge in Tibet. 'The treaty was signed at a location called Lauhche, now in Tibet,' he said. 'I heard this from my elders. It was related to trade among these regions.' Norbu Chhoria, a former pradhan, provided further insights into the pass' history. 'The old name of Shipki La was Pema La, or Shared Gate, also known as Shared Pass. It was declared the Line of Actual Control post-1962, and later, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police named it Shipki La.' वर्षों के इंतज़ार के बाद शिपकी-ला अब पर्यटकों के लिए पूरी तरह खुल चुका है। यह केवल एक पर्यटन स्थल ही नहीं, बल्कि हिमाचल की संस्कृति, साहस और शांति से जुड़ने का एक द्वार है। शिपकी-ला न सिर्फ़ सैलानियों का स्वागत करेगा, बल्कि क्षेत्र की आर्थिकी को नया जीवन देगा। — CMO HIMACHAL (@CMOFFICEHP) June 10, 2025 A potential pilgrimage route Beyond trade, Shipki La holds spiritual significance as a potential gateway for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. 'I will meet the prime minister and present the case for starting the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra via Shipki La, which could be the easiest route for pilgrims,' Sukhu said. Saraswati Negi, local Mahila Mandal Pradhan, elaborated on the route's feasibility to serve this purpose. 'There is a route from Shipki La to Kailash Manasarovar. The Chinese road extends up to Shipki village, with a 4-kilometer path in between. It used to take 15 days on horseback to reach Kailash Manasarovar. This route was specially prepared for trade, but it can serve pilgrims too.' She added, 'Opening this route for tourism and pilgrimage will create employment opportunities for the youth of our villages.' The pass' location, close to the sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, makes it a compelling alternative to existing pilgrimage routes, which often involve longer and more arduous journeys. Also Read: 'This wealth is Himachal's, we deserve rightful share,' says CM Sukhu amid Punjab-Haryana water row Boosting tourism & local economy The opening of Shipki La to tourists is part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, which share a 240-km border with China. Tourists can access the pass via the Shimla-Kinnaur Highway, taking a detour near Khab village. Entry requires valid identity documents such as an Aadhaar card, and is strictly monitored by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on a daily basis. Overnight stays at the pass are prohibited to maintain security. Revenue Minister and Kinnaur MLA Jagat Singh Negi underscored how the tourism initiative would address the region's economic challenges. 'This is a significant step to boost tourism in the border district,' he said. 'It will help locals financially, and curb migration from remote areas of Kinnaur, where economic opportunities have been limited since the suspension of the trade.' Tenzin, a resident of Nako village, echoed the sentiment, 'Trade is not just a part of our history but a source of livelihood for many. Its resumption, alongside tourism, is crucial for our survival.' Lalit Negi, a resident of Kalpa, said, 'Opening Shipki La will bring visitors beyond the explored valleys of Kinnaur, directly benefiting local communities through increased economic activity.' The state government has also requested the central government to engage with China to resume livestock trade and other exchanges, signaling a proactive approach to restoring economic ties. Despite the enthusiasm, significant challenges remain. The suspension of trade since 2020 has strained local economies, and ongoing geopolitical tensions between India and China complicate efforts to resume cross-border trade activities. The state government, however, remains committed to overcoming these hurdles through dialogue with the central government, MLA Negi said. 'We have requested the Centre to engage with China to resume livestock trade and other exchanges,' he said, adding the success of these efforts will also depend on diplomatic progress and the resolution of security concerns along the LAC. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
