Tibetan Information Network news

The TIN carries several articles that should be of use for understanding the actual state of relations on the border from a Tibetan perspective. For example, they have stated that "talks held by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the government of India in the Indian capital New Delhi in July 2004 have failed to bring about a general normalisation on the Indo-Tibetan border." However, the Indian side has remained optimistic about opening a Land Custom Station in Leh and other points of crossing from India into Tibet. There are already two in operation -- Shipki La (Himachal) and Gunji (Uttaranchal?) while a third is being built at Nathu La in Sikkim.

However most importantly in their Sept. 8, 2004 article, TIN has claimed that smuggling by nomads in the region is continuing despite the lack of a LCS in Ladakh. So the border is actually porous!

Vajpayee's trip to Beijing in June 2003 was also given extensive coverage as Nathu La was opened.

[TIN link]
[border smuggling]
[2003 trip]