Asked as to why the low response, traders said that the low trade volume registered during the last two seasons and the delay in the review and enhancement in the list of items for trade have forced  them to abandon the trip this season.

Border trade was earlier scheduled to open on May 1 but was postponed after Beijing requested New Delhi to delay the start following landslides in the TAR.

Moreover, traders from TAR, including the head of Commerce and Industries Tshering Choden were disappointed over the low turn out of traders from Sikkim.

Expressing hope that interested businessmen from India would join in the business in the coming days, Ms Choden said, “We want the relationship between the two countries to be strengthened with this border trade.”

The Chinese official also informed that the Indian traders are provided with three more additional shops at Rinchengang Mart from this season onwards.

Elated over the response of the Chinese traders, the minister of the State Commerce and Industries Department said that the volume of the trade would be enhanced in the near future. “We have already proposed to the Government of India a review of the list of items and have suggested at least 100 items for export. We are also expecting prompt reply from them,” Mr. Subba told the press

Departmental officials informed that a team of Indian parliamentarians have visited Sikkim to discuss measures to boost two-way border trade through Nathula.

As per the agreement reached between the two countries, trade takes place four days a week - Monday to Thursday - beginning May 1 each year and lasting until November 30 when snow makes the area impassable.

Yishey Doma