Mumbai: Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling cut the ribbon to reopen the famous Nathu La pass to Indian and Chinese traders at a ceremonial function on Thursday. Tibet Autonomous Region chairman Champa Phuntsok attended the function, held at the windy 14,500 feet high location in the Himalayas.

With this, India and China have taken another step in strengthening trade and cultural ties between peoples of the two countries.

Part of the ancient Himalayan ''Silk Route'', the Nathu La pass has been closed for bilateral trade for at least 44 years after it was closed in 1962 after the Sino-India war.

Drums rolled as Chamling and Phuntsok shook hands before cutting the ribbon and soldiers and traders from both sides cheered and clapped.

"The people of China and India were knit together with a thousand bonds since the dawn of history," Chamling said quoting Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

He expressed hope that the reopening of the Himalayan pass increase the economic and cultural interaction between two countries.

The reopening of the border should be viewed as a symbol of friendship between India and China, Phuntsok said and hoped that India and China would be able to expand other interactive activities besides trade.