India, China to revive Silk Road trade

Judging from this Al-Jazeera news item, it looks like plans for opening Nathu La and restoring the traditional Himalayan pass connecting Sikkim to Lhasa are well under way.

The report claims that this would the first full-fledged trade link between India and China since the 1962 war, eclipsing the other passes that have been opened since 1993 because of its central role as an ancient artery of the silk road. The opening is slated for October 2. The Sikkimese seem to be looking upon the restoration with optimism.