China&rsquo;s aggressive stance along the border has dealt a severe blow to cross-border trade between Sikkim and Tibet through Nathu La. Nearly 400 families, once dependent on this trans-Himalayan route for their livelihood, are now facing financial hardships as the border remains closed.
Though the official reason for suspension was cited as the pandemic, trade has remained frozen for five years, long after restrictions eased. The underlying cause, according to observers, is Beijing&rsquo;s repeated violations of border agreements, beginning with the 2017 Doklam standoff and continuing through the 2020 clashes in eastern Ladakh.
Local associations highlight that the shutdown has impacted not only Indian traders but also Tibetan labourers from Tromo County in Shigatse prefecture. For years, these labourers benefitted from the trade mart at Sherathang on the Indian side, but the closure has left them struggling to survive.
In Sikkim, nearly 150 truck drivers who once ferried goods to Sherathang have lost their income. Many have been forced to shift to driving taxis and buses to sustain their families. The Nathu La Border Trade Association has urged the Sikkim government to create alternative employment opportunities for those left jobless.
The once-thriving border links through Nathu La, Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, and Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh remain suspended, underscoring how geopolitical tensions continue to hit ordinary lives across the Himalayas.

China’s moves stall Nathu La border trade

400 families hit as Nathu La trade stays shut due to Chinese aggression

China’s moves stall Nathu La border trade

400 families hit as Nathu La trade stays shut due to Chinese aggression

August 18, 2025 | 18:32 IST