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 Book Deals With The Issues Concerning Sikkim'S Development In The Wider Context Of The Prospects Of Trade Relationship Between India And China Through Nathu La. It Offers Insights And Observations For A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Economic, Political, Social And Cultural Dynamics Of Development Of Sikkim In The Wider Perspective Of Northeast India-Southwest China Cooperation, And Their Trade And Security Implications. The Volume Aims To Prove That Nathu La Can Provide A Lesson That Borders Should Become The Meeting Point For People To Exchange And Share Transnational Ideas, Wealth And Culture For A Better World, Rather Than Dividing Them On Narrower Political And Strategic Visions. The Volume Is Expected To Draw Attention To, And Generate Interest Beyond Sikkim To Other Northeastern States, Which Also Have Been Suffering From Various Unlawful And Unwanted Activities From Their Closed Borders With Their Neighbouring Nations For A Very Long Period Of Time. The Book May Be Of Use To Policy Planners And To Those Having Interest In The Region.

This book analyses strategic discourse on the Himalayas from the perspective of India’s interests. Home to many communities, cultures, natural resources and political boundaries, it is the geopolitical landscape of the Himalayas between India and China that dominates other narratives and discourses. The traditional notion of Himalayas as India’s frontiers and buffer is challenged by China. Despite various mechanisms to address border resolution there are violations and transgressions from China. This book examines India’s responses to the new emerging challenges in the Himalayas. How the statist discourse on strategic interests incorporates people’s discourse. It provides a nuanced understanding of India’s strategic undertakings, diplomatic initiatives and development framework. This book will be a valuable addition to existing knowledge on the Himalayas between India and China. Scholars and practitioners interested in International Relations, Strategic Studies, Himalayan Studies and South Asian Studies will find it useful. Print edition not for sale in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Bhutan)

Chinese invasion over Tibet had major impacts on the geopolitics in the Himalayan region. The political asylum that India gave to Dalai Lama and Tibetan refugees had complicated the relations between India and China significantly. In this context, this book broadly discusses the historical background of the Tibetan issue and also Tibet issue as a factor in India-China relations during the post British period. The book also focuses on the Tibetan Government in Exile – a government without a state - and its activities. How do the exile government functioning in Indian territory impact India-China relations at this point of time is something interesting which this book looks into.