Overview

• India is engaging with China to facilitate the reopening of the Nathu La, Lipulekh and Shipki La passes for border trade after a four-year suspension.
• Technical teams from both governments are negotiating to resume direct passenger flights that have been paused since the pandemic.
• Last October’s disengagement agreement on the Line of Actual Control set the stage for renewed cooperation at friction points.
• China has allowed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh Pass and India started issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals in late July.
• The diplomatic push coincides with Prime Minister Modi’s scheduled Tianjin visit from August 31 to September 1 and follows US tariff hikes that have raised duties on Indian imports to 50%.