Source: The Hindu
In an effort to boost trade and tourism, Himachal Pradesh has opened the Shipki La Pass, a motorable mountain pass in the Kinnaur district, to domestic visitors.
It was an important trading route between Tibet and India centuries ago. The route, which is 3,930 meters above sea level, has been used for trade since the 15th century, however oral tales indicate that its history goes far further back.
A string of geopolitical events brought the once-thriving trade through Shipki La to a complete halt. The Sino-Indian War in 1962 caused the first disruption, and the Doklam Standoff and the Covid-19 epidemic caused more. The commerce channel is still closed to business transactions.
The decision to allow Indian tourists to enter Shipki La Pass using their Aadhaar card has sparked hope throughout the area. Kinnaur groups have a long history of cultural and economic relationships with their Tibetan counterparts, especially those belonging to Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.
Through Shipki La, India and Tibet were able to exchange a wide range of important items. Wool, pack and saddle horses, goats, lambs, mutton, yak and goatskins, yak hair, devotional objects including bowls, rosaries, thangkas, and prayer wheels, as well as borax, turquoise, and gold, were all imported from Tibet. Grain products like barley, wheat, rice, millet, lentils, chickpeas, and oil, as well as dried fruits, vegetables, spices, tobacco, lumber, copper and brass utensils, and iron tools, were among the goods that India exported to Tibet.
Reopening Shipki La might revolutionize cross-border travel and religious tourism by cutting the 14-day trip from Delhi to Mansarovar. Additionally, this might improve regional trade infrastructure, increase employment for young people in the area, and spur growth in the hotel and related industries.
Many surnames overlap, and the majority of the population on both sides are pastoralists. For example, the Namgyal surname is present in both Leh and throughout the Tibetan plateau. Religion also sustains cultural relationships. Despite political tensions, the majority of people in Upper Kinnaur and the nearby Tibetan territory are Buddhists, maintaining a spiritual and cultural continuity.
Oral tradition, festivals, and monastic customs all represent a common legacy that endures in spite of national boundaries. Reopening Shipki La might become more than simply a local tale; it could serve as an example of diplomacy via history and progress.
Model Question:
Discuss the strategic and geographical significance of mountain passes in the Himalayas. Highlight the importance of Shipki La pass in this context.
Model Answer:
Mountain passes in the Himalayas have historically served as vital corridors connecting the Indian subcontinent with Central Asia and China. These passes are not only of strategic and military importance, but also crucial for trade, cultural exchange, and infrastructure development in border regions.
Geographical and Strategic Importance of Himalayan Passes:
- Connectivity: Passes such as Nathu La, Zoji La, Khardung La, and Shipki La provide crucial links across rugged terrain for civilian and military movement.
- Defense: These high-altitude corridors are essential for troop movement and surveillance in strategically sensitive border areas.
- Trade Routes: Historically, passes served as part of the Silk Route, enabling trans-Himalayan trade.
- Tourism & Economy: Some passes are now tourist attractions and boost local economies.
- Disaster Response: Passes offer critical access for relief during natural disasters in isolated regions.
Importance of Shipki La Pass:
- Location: Located in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of ~4,500 m, Shipki La connects India with Tibet (China).
- Strategic Significance: It is one of the few open Indo-China trade routes, though limited in use due to border tensions.
- Border Trade: Shipki La is designated under the Indo-China border trade agreement (1992), facilitating trade of local goods like wool, dry fruits, and handicrafts.
- Military Relevance: Given its proximity to sensitive regions, it plays a key role in defense logistics and surveillance.
- Infrastructure Development: The nearby National Highway-5 enhances accessibility and strategic readiness.
Himalayan passes, including Shipki La, form a lifeline through the world’s highest mountains, enabling connectivity, security, and economic engagement. In the evolving geo-political landscape, their strategic management is crucial for national security and regional development.
