Border trade between India and China was closed shortly before the IndiaChina war of 1962. The growing tensions between the two countries due to border issues along with India’s stand to give refuge to the Dalai Lama added fuel to fire. There was about a decade and a half long Cold War like situation that existed between the two countries. Relations began to normalise from the mid1970’s. On 16 December 1991, India and China signed a memorandum of understanding on resumption of Border Trade. It was decided initially it would be carried out at one point across the Uttar PradeshTibet border through the Lipulekh pass. This was followed by the reopening of Border Trade in 1992. Two years down the line a second trading point was reopened across Himachal PradeshTibet border through the Shipki La. Later in 2006, Nathu La pass was reopened in Sikkim as per the agreement signed between India and China in 2003. In the decade that has followed, few of the expectations that the people in the Sikkim region had from the opening of this route has materialised. This work deals primarily with the nature of the border trade across the Nathu La, the expectations the people had from it, and humble for suggestions for attaining them.

The People's Republic of China under the leadership of Xi Jinping is undergoing rapid changes at the present time. The nature of these changes was evident during the 19th Party Congress of 2017 and unfolded swiftly thereafter. This volume, produced by a group of 25 China experts of India associated with the Institute of Chinese Studies, offers a detailed examination of Xi Jinping's initiatives in the context of what was proclaimed as a 'new era'. The contributions cover several important areas ranging from social and political spheres to diplomatic dimensions. Discussing the leadership style and the reorganisation of the Communist Party structure, especially the Central Committee and the Politbureau, and the ongoing anti-corruption campaign, the authors underline the emerging pattern of centralisation of authority and reversal of Deng Xiaoping's mode of politics. Xi Jinping's global strategy, which hinges on programmes such as the Belt and Road Initiative, and adoption of a new approach to regions as resource bases and pursuing the mantra of innovation in all spheres are examined indepth, keeping in view China's long term, stated ambitions to emerge as a 'great, modern, strong and prosperous country' by the mid-21st century. Deeper analysis of the effects of Xi's policies on the media, workers, women, the environment, ethnic minorities and culture and the deconstruction of Xi Jinping Thought in theoretical and civilizational perspectives are highlights of this work.