(a) whether the Government are contemplating to start border trade with Chine via Nathula pass;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the time by which decision is likely to be taken in this regard;
(d) whether any talks has been held between the two countries in this regard; and
(e) if not, the time by which talk is likely to be held?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY( SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)
(a) to (c). During the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s visit to China in June 2003, the two sides agreed to open a third route at Nathula for conducting border trade.
(d) & (e) During the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to India, both sides reviewed with satisfaction the implementation of the memorandum on the border trade through the Nathula Pass between the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People`s Republic of China and the Sikkim State of the Republic of India.