Historical Importance
- Located in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 3,930 m.
- A historic Indo-Tibetan trade route — operational since at least the 15th century, likely earlier.
- Folklore-based trade oath symbolized enduring cross-border trust and peace.
Relevance : GS 1(Culture ,Heritage ,Geography) ,GS 3(Infrastructure ,Trade)
Why Trade Stopped
- Disrupted after the Sino-India War of 1962.
- Further breakdown due to Doklam standoff (2017) and COVID-19 pandemic.
- Commercial trade remains suspended, though local aspirations remain high.
Recent Developments
- Himachal Pradesh CM reopened the pass for Indian tourists (no permit now needed; Aadhaar card sufficient).
- Move has revived hopes for trade and religious tourism among locals.
Trade: Nature of Goods Exchanged
- Imports from Tibet: wool, yaks, goatskins, thangkas, prayer items, turquoise, gold.
- Exports from India: grains, spices, dried fruits, copper utensils, iron tools, tobacco.
- Trade supported local crafts and jewelry industries (e.g. Kinnauri ornaments).
Why Reopening Matters Despite Low Trade Volume
- Can shorten the Delhi–Mansarovar pilgrimage by 14 days — big religious tourism boost.
- Generates employment, revives hospitality sector, and encourages infrastructure growth.
- Serves as a community-led diplomatic model — fostering peace through cultural-economic ties.
Cultural & Spiritual Links
- People on both sides share pastoral lifestyles, similar surnames (e.g. Namgyal).
- Dominant religion: Buddhism — shared monastic traditions, festivals, and spiritual practices.
- Reflects civilisational continuity, unlike more fractured India–Pakistan cross-border ties.
Policy & Strategic Implications
- Reopening can act as a “soft corridor” for India-China people-to-people engagement.
- Advocated by Kinnaur Indo-China Trade Association; State Government plans to push MEA for trade revival.
- Could become a model for heritage-based diplomacy and inclusive border development.
