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India and China to reopen direct trade links
The initial trade is expected to be much the same as in the Silk Road days with Chinese silk, yak tails, and raw wool likely to hit Indian markets via the small village of Sherathang, about five kilometers from the Nathu La pass, traders said.
India expects to export farm products, textiles, watches, shoes, canned food, tobacco, rice, and dried fruit. The prospect of border trading has generated much interest in Sikkim where unemployment is high. "Once trading resumes, the economy of the region will change for the better and with it we expect to get a major boost in the tourism sector as well," said Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. "Once this trade route is opened, there will be immense possibilities of trade and commerce." Both countries have recently pushed for greater trade to tap a consumer market of 2.3 billion people, with two-way trade now around 14 billion dollars. In May they agreed that previously disputed Sikkim is part of India and set up a framework to discuss all border issues. India says China is occupying 38,000 square kilometres (14,670 square miles)
of Indian territory. Beijing, in turn, claims the remote Indian-administered
state of Arunachal Pradesh.
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