What is the significance of the Shipki La pass?
The story so far: Himachal Pradesh has opened the Shipki La pass, a motorable mountain pass in the Kinnaur district, to domestic tourists, a step which locals hope will revitalise tourism and trade.
What is its historical importance?
Centuries before national borders and geopolitical tensions defined regions, the Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district served as a vital trade route between India and Tibet (now part of China). Situated at an elevation of 3,930 metres above sea level, the pass has been part of documented trade since the 15th century, although oral histories suggest its legacy extends even further back. According to folklore, cross-border trade was based on an oath sworn by communities on both sides — 'Till the water in Kailash Man Sarovar Lake does not dry, a black crow does not turn white, and the highest peak Rijo Pugal does not flatten, this trade agreement shall continue.' This poetic pledge symbolised an enduring bond that withstood centuries, until political realities disrupted it.
Why was the trade route closed?
The once-thriving commerce through Shipki La came to a standstill due to a series of geopolitical events. It was first disrupted after the Sino-India War of 1962, followed by further breakdowns post the Doklam standoff and the COVID-19 pandemic. The trade route remains shut to commercial exchange.
Why has the recent intervention sparked enthusiasm?
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh inaugurated tourism access to Shipki La without the previously mandatory permit system. Indian tourists can now visit using just their Aadhaar card, a move that has stirred optimism across the region.
The communities of Kinnaur, particularly those from Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, share a deep-rooted cultural and economic relationship with Tibetan counterparts. Historically, the Bushahr State (now Rampur) in India and Guge in Tibet were principal players in the region's trade. The Kinnaur Indo-China Trade Association, based in Reckong Peo, has voiced a formal appeal to reopen the trade route through Shipki La. The Chief Minister has assured that the issue will be taken up with the Ministry of External Affairs.
What goods were traded?
The commodities exchanged between India and Tibet through Shipki La were both diverse and valuable.
Imports from Tibet included wool (the most profitable item), pack and saddle horses, goats, sheep, mutton, yak and goatskins, yak hair (used for ropes and saddlebags), devotional items such as prayer wheels, thangkas, rosaries, and bowls, as well as borax, turquoise, and gold. Exports to Tibet from India included grains such as barley, wheat, rice, millet, lentils, chickpeas, and oil, dried fruits, vegetables, spices, tobacco, timber, copper and brass utensils, and iron tools.
Gold and turquoise were particularly cherished, which were integral to traditional Kinnauri women's jewellery — creating constant local demand and sustaining artisan communities. These exchanges weren't just transactional; they shaped cultural practices, local crafts, and even dietary habits across generations.
If trade volume is limited, why is there still so much excitement?
It's true that trade through the three land passes with China — including those in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand — does not account for a significant volume of bilateral trade.
But enthusiasm for trade and tourism lie in connectivity and opportunity. Reopening Shipki La could shorten the journey from Delhi to Mansarovar by 14 days, a potential game-changer for religious tourism and cross-border travel. This could also boost employment for local youth, enhance regional trade infrastructure, and catalyse growth in hospitality and allied sectors.
Additionally, the reopening may serve a strategic purpose as well — a soft diplomatic gesture and a community-led model of cross-border trust-building, independent of high-level state diplomacy. For a region often sidelined in national dialogues, such grassroots engagement could play a crucial role in shaping future peace corridors.
What is the cultural connection?
Unlike the India-Pakistan border, where cross-border blood relations exist, the India-China border around Shipki La is defined more by shared lifestyles than lineage. The people on both sides are primarily pastoralists, and many surnames overlap — for instance, the Namgyal surname is found both in Leh and across the Tibetan plateau.
Cultural ties also endure through religion. Upper Kinnaur and the adjacent Tibetan region predominantly follow Buddhism, sustaining a spiritual and civilisational continuity even in the face of political divisions. Monastic traditions, festivals, and oral lore reflect a shared heritage that survives despite barriers of nationhood. Reopening Shipki La could become more than a regional story — it might just be a case study in diplomacy through development and heritage.
Tikender Singh Panwar is former deputy mayor of Shimla, and member of the Kerala Urban Commission.
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