Though Sino-Indian détente could be traced to 1975, yet the visit of the former Prime Minster A.B. Vajpayee to Beijing in 2003 remains a definite landmark in a bid to straighten relations between the two countries. India took a long time to arrive at this stage of mutual relations just because of Beijing’s continued military support to Pakistan unmindful of its anti-India implications..

Perched at an altitude of 4,310 metres (14,200 feet), Nathu La, the potent symbol of Sino-Indian rapprochement, is bare 56 kilometres or 35 miles away from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. On both sides of this crucial pass, there goes on a lot of activity not of building fortifications but of constructing roads that would change the economy of Tibet on the Chinese side and of Sikkim and the entire eastern part of the Indian Union.

Beijing has the compulsion of speeding up development and economic prosperity of her remote and rather neglected western region of Tibet. Lhasa is only 520 kilometres (320 miles) away from Nathu La and Kolkatta, the entrepot for huge trade with the Tibetan region is only at a stone’s throw from Nathu La.. Therefore, though belatedly, the concept of mutual engagement has earned precedence over mutual containment. It gives a new direction to their bilateral relations wiwth implications on regional strategies..

A major catalyst to the détente was China’s formal recognition of Sikkim as part of India and India’s recognition of Tibet’s inclusion into Chinese sovereignty. Beijing was satisfied with New Delhi assuring her that India would not allow the Tibetans émigrés to use Indian soil for any propaganda against China on Tibetan issue. However, it is unrealistic to think that Beijing-Islamabad nexus will witness any palpable change in near future.

The resolution of Siachin Glacier dispute with Pakistan will have wider implications for regional diplomacy.. If an agreement on demilitarization of Siachin matures,, one can think of its implications on Sino-Indian relations in the context of Kashmir dispute with Pakistan.

Another dimension of Sino-India détente is the growing presence of the US in Central Asia where China, India and Pakistan have their respective stakes. In regard to West Asian development, India and China both have been accepting the view point of Washington’.

Sino-Indian war of 1962 resulted in the closure of this crucial Himalayan pass that had remained significant intersection point in the southern artery of the Silk Route. Prior to that event more than 1,000 mules and horses and 700 people took the narrow trail every day to carry on their trading of commodities on either side of the pass.

On Indian side not only the State of Sikkim but perhaps more than that it is West Bengal that is showing keen interest in the opening of Nathu La pass as early as possible. A study made by the government in Gangtok suggests that trade across Nathu La could reach US dollars 2.5 billion by 2015. Trade with Lhasa through Chumbi Valley is easier as an alternate fair weather route up from Kalimpong via Jelep La is available. If Jelep La is opened, Darjeeling district in Assam will see the revival of its fortune.

Sikkim government is simply excited over the contemplated prospect. Five miles below Nathu La on Sikkim side, the chilly hamlet of Sherathang is witnessing the brisk activity of an upcoming trade mart, which could promise a lot for the vast trade between the two countries if everything goes well. Sikkim government has been waiting for New Delhi’s approval to its 22 billion rupee project of constructing a two-lane highway from Nathu La to western India bypassing Bangkok’s congested streets.

West Bengal government is seized of the benefits of opening a trade link to Lhasa through Nathu La. A bulk of the contemplated 500 crore rupees trade turnover would find its way to Jalpaiguri and Siliguri of West Bengal. Kolkatta and Haldia ports would give the Chinese a port for their trade with South East Asia.

Apart from trade factor, opening of Nathu La could boost tourist industry in the region and Sikkim would be the largest beneficiary. Sikkim could be an international Buddhist pilgrimage circuit from Tibet to Thailand and Nepal to India.

Thus the revival of the Sino-Indian artery of the ancient Silk Route has many more dimensions than mere trade. China and India both have commercial, political and cultural interest in the opening of the pass. Although India is trading the scenario with guarded steps yet it is hoped that mutual trust will be increasingly a powerful instrument to change the old mindset. Restoration of trade relations through this historic pass is bound to have far reaching impact on the good relationship between he two Asian giants.

An overview of this scenario suggests a basic change in the policy of Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The new concept appears to be that of opening up on the west and the east. Thus opening of road links at various points across the LoC in Kashmir, and the border in Punjab and Rajasthan follow the same perception as the opening of Nathu La. Trade and traffic along these crossing points will get stabilised in a couple of years and then in all probability a new phenomenon of bilateral and multilateral relationship will emerge. The South Asian region can take the cue from the European Union and embark on a grand plan of cooperation and collaboration to strengthen international peace.

The author is the former Director of Centre of Central Asian Studies, Kashmir University, India.

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