Plan to open trade with Nepal through Sikkim border

A high-level delegation led by the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of Sikkim, Dr. Mahendra P. Lama along with the consultant of NEDFC, Shri Bezbarua, and the Manager Shri Abhishek Lama called on the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri P. S. Tamang at his official residence

EOI, GANGTOK, JUNE 27, 2022 : A high-level delegation led by the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of Sikkim Mahendra P. Lama along with a team of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation called on Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang at his official residence in Gangtok on Sunday evening and presented a summary of a project assigned by the Union External Affairs Ministry about the possibility of opening the borders of the north-eastern states with neighbouring countries, including Nepal. 

They briefed the Chief Minister about their visit to Uttaray and Chiwabhyanjang in the Gyalshing district of Sikkim. DoNER Minister G. Kishan Reddy had asked the team to visit the areas in Sikkim bordering Nepal and examine the possibilities of trade with Nepal through the Indian state of Sikkim. 

Expressing that such a trade would benefit both the countries, the team reported that the opening of the border and developing modern integrated land ports could boost tourism, health, education, and the trade sector. The economy of the border villages in both Sikkim and Nepal would benefit with the opening of the border, particularly for home stay operators, taxi drivers and restaurants. 

The team also mentioned in its report that all the stakeholders and the local officials supported them during their tour, imparting valuable suggestions for the development of infrastructure and opening the border trade with the neighbouring country Nepal through Sikkim. 

The Chief Minister said that the move could be fruitful for Sikkim and wished the team the best for their project. He also expressed his gratitude to the Centre, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for giving in-principle approval for the expansion of the National Highway from Nayabazar to Chiwabhanzyang via Sombaria, Soreng, Dentam and Uttaray. The Chief Minister is also likely to approach the Centre for the construction of the road through Gati Shakti for the all-around development of the state. 

Gati Shakti, the National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity, launched by the Prime Minister, is essentially a digital platform to bring different Union Ministries together for integrated planning and co-ordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects. 

It would provide integrated and seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services from one mode of transport to another and facilitate the last mile connectivity of infrastructure. Sikkim is also the hub of border trade across Nathu La to Tibet. 

It may be mentioned that in 2005 Mahendra P. Lama prepared a report titled “Nathu La Trade: Prospects, Potentials and Opportunities.” The border trade through Nathu La had flourished for some years, but later suffered setbacks because of the Doklam standoff between India and China, the Covid – 19 pandemic and the Chinese incursions in the Ladakh frontier. (With an IPR report)