"Would bring prosperity to the state": RSS' Indresh Kumar on launch of tourism activities at Shipki-La pass - World News Network

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 16 (ANI): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar stated that the launch of tourism activities at Shipki-La mountain pass on the India-Tibet border would bring prosperity to Himachal Pradesh. He also asserted that such initiatives would reaffirm India’s sovereignty over its border areas.
“The launch of the tourism activities at the Shipki-La mountain pass on the India-Tibet border would bring prosperity to the state. When people of the nation go there, they will know that the border is ours and the border on the other side is not China’s. It belongs to Tibet, and China has illegally occupied it. This will lead to a movement against China and a commitment for every inch of the country’s land. We need to strengthen our border areas…” Kumar told ANI.
On June 10, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, launched border tourism activities from the Shipki-La pass located in the tribal Kinnaur district along the Indo-Tibet-China border.
CM Sukhu further stated that the state would now work towards opening the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route through the Indo-Tibet-China border.
“Now that we have opened this border point for tourism, our next focus will be on opening the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route from here. Mount Kailash is just 92 kilometres from this point,” Sukhu said, addressing a gathering at Namgya village, located near the high-altitude Shipki Pass, around 310 km from Shimla.
The Chief Minister said discussions with the Central Government and necessary coordination with Chinese authorities would be required, but added, “If approvals come, this will become the most accessible and shortest route for the yatra from Indian territory.”
The Chief Minister recalled former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s visit to the Shipki Pass nearly six decades ago.
“She travelled here on horseback to spread the message of national unity. That spirit lives on as we reopen this site for tourism. Our next step must be to establish the Mansarovar Yatra route from here,” he said.
The initiative marks a significant move to boost eco-tourism and livelihood opportunities in the high-altitude tribal belt. The region, which once functioned as a traditional Indo-Tibet trade route, had remained closed to tourism due to security and pandemic-related restrictions.
Welcoming the decision, Indar Singh, a former Pradhan of Namgya, said: “I thank the state government for this historic decision. The opening of Shipki La will create employment for educated but jobless youth in the area. This will increase income, promote tourism, and help revive our economy.” (ANI)

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