INDIA AND ITS NEIGHBOURS: BEYOND THE BORDERS

Neighbour 2: China

Topic: IndiaChina Relations

Subtopic: Borders, Passes & Lipulekh Route

After exploring Bangladesh, today we move towards another important neighbour China.

Let us begin with some basic GK. The capital of China is Beijing, its currency is the Renminbi, commonly called the Yuan, and China is generally listed as the fourth-largest country in the world by total area. It is also the worlds second-most populous country, after India.

India and China are separated largely by the mighty Himalayas. Since the boundary between the two countries is not fully settled, much of it is referred to as the Line of Actual Control or LAC.

But the Himalayas are not just barriers; they have historically been gateways. Nathu La in Sikkim, Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh and Lipulekh in Uttarakhand are important passes connecting India with the Tibetan region.

A major recent development came in August 2026, when traditional IndiaChina border trade resumed through Lipulekh and Shipki La after a gap of nearly six years.

Lipulekh is especially important because the route is associated with both traditional trade and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.

So remember: in geopolitics, a mountain pass can be much more than a route it can carry trade, culture, diplomacy and strategic importance.

Signing off for now.

Tomorrow, we explore how India and China can be competitors and major trading partners at the same time.

JAI HIND!