Sino-India border trade at Nathu La postponed

GANGTOK: The annual Sino-India border trade at Nathu La, which was to be reopened for the traders of the two countries today, has been postponed following the Union Commerce ministry's communique to the Sikkim government authorities, official sources said here.

We have received a fax message from the Union Commerce ministry late last evening informing about the postponement of the re-opening of the border trade at Nathu La, the District Collector (East) Vishal Chauhan said.

The re-opening of annual trade at Nathu La may take place on May 19 next, he said.

The district administration would continue with the processing of the applications of the Indian traders for issuance of the travel and security passes to them in order to enable them to take part in the border trade this year, Chauhan said.