We can have lunch in Gangtok and dinner in Yadong,” mused Le Yucheng, the then Chinese envoy in Delhi, speaking in June 2015 at the small, muddy Tibetan mountain town of Yadong, which sits on the Chinese side of Nathu La.
That summer morning, Indian and Chinese officials, with great fanfare, welcomed 40 Indian pilgrims, the first to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar yatra through a newly opened road through Nathu La—one that is two days shorter and less arduous than the older route through Lipulekh, Uttarakhand. The opening was seen as a hugely symbolic goodwill gesture and confidence-building measure, underlining that both countries could put aside their difficult boundary dispute— at least for the sake of Kailash pilgrims. But two years on, lunch in Gangtok and dinner in Yadong seems as distant a prospect as ever.
This story is from the July 10, 2017 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 10, 2017 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BJP's Big Paschim Test
On paper, the BJP-RLD tie-up is a winner for the NDA in west UP, though the INDIA bloc thinks otherwise. The BSP's entry with mixed candidates can unsettle both alliances
Why Gen V Matters
The Way The 210 Million-Strong Generation Viksit Bharat Casts Its Vote Will Determine The Outcome Of This Election As It Has In The Past
Heart Stopper
Cushions with tales of beauty, serenity, art and nature
THE NIPPON NARRATIVE
Say konnichiwa to good design and sayōnara to bad aesthetics, as this apartment in Bangalore is a lesson in how to use Japanese design effectively
RURAL RESPLENDENCE
This second home in a small village in Uttar Pradesh brings to life the beauty and simplicity of locally sourced materials
Curves in the Right Places
Arches may be taking over interior design, but how and where you place them in your home can make or mar the look of the room
Marvels in Mud
Here's how this humble material is changing the way we look at eco-friendly homes in India
DESIGN FOR THE AGES
Five homes, five distinct design styles that help decode how to curate age-appropriate spaces
TAKE FIVE
FROM RUGS TO CUSHIONS, THESE DECOR PIECES WILL GIVE YOUR INTERIORS AN INSTANT MAKEOVER THIS SEASON
TRENDY TABLESCAPES
At the turn of the season, three fashion labels throw a soiree that is stylish, suave and sophisticated