India and China to Restore Nathu La Border Trade

The Nathu La passage, which serves as a vital link between the Chumbi Valley and West Bengal’s port of Tamralipta, traditionally operates from May through November. Its closure in 2020 severed a key economic lifeline for local traders and border communities. The return of trade follows the 2025 resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, signaling a cautious thaw in bilateral logistics despite ongoing territorial disputes along the frontier.

To support this revival, India is aggressively scaling up regional infrastructure. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited is currently constructing the 93-kilometer Rongli-Menla highway, while the central government has allocated ₹770 crore for the development of National Highway 717A. Beyond roads, Indian Railways is conducting final location surveys to extend rail connectivity from the Sivok-Rangpo link up to the border pass, aiming to integrate Gangtok into a broader, high-capacity network that could eventually reach the Tibetan border.