Nepal is in regular discussions with China to reopen the Tatopani border trade point, which has been closed for several years after heavy flooding and infrastructure damage in Nepal-China border areas.
Nepal's Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal said on October 6, 2026, that the government was in constant communication with Chinese authorities on the resumption of operations at Tatopani. He made the remarks at a meeting of the Parliamentary Special Committee on the Impact of Climate Change in the Himalayas, Climate Justice and the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli Disaster.
Nepal Says Its Side Is Ready
According to Minister Lamsal, Nepal has already restored the road infrastructure on its side of the Tatopani border point and is prepared to resume working.
He said there are currently no major obstacles on the Nepali side and that discussions with China are going on regularly.
But the Chinese side has not yet granted approval to open the crossing. Lamsal said China seemed reluctant to resume operations while the region weathered floods and other natural disasters.
The minister said he hoped the border point could be reopened as talks were going on between the two sides.
August Flood Disrupted Border Trade
The reopening efforts come after the devastating August 26 Bhotekoshi flood, which ravaged much of Nepal's northern border.
The disaster destroyed roads, bridges and other infrastructure and disrupted transit and trade links between Nepal and China. Resumption of cross-border movement has been a major challenge for the Nepali government to overcome.
The flood also affected the wider Himalayan region and infrastructure and communities suffered huge losses. Nepal has since then shifted from emergency search-and-rescue operations to rehabilitation and reconstruction in the wake of the flood.
Tatopani Important for Nepal-China Trade
Tatopani is one of Nepal's key northern trade routes connecting the country with China.
The reopening is essential for the movement of goods from China into Nepal and to businesses that depend on cross-border goods. Nepali authorities have been trying to reopen the route as quickly as possible in the run-up to the country’s major festival and shopping season.
And this has also put pressure on Nepal to restore northern trade routes and build up infrastructure in areas affected by floods and landslides as well.
Rasuwagadhi Also on Nepal's Agenda
Nepal is also working to restore the Rasuwagadhi border crossing, another major trade route with China.
The government is also preparing plans to rebuild roads and other infrastructure so that its operations can resume, Minister Lamsal said. Both crossings are key to Nepal’s trade with its northern neighbour.
Reopening Depends on Further Talks
For now, Nepal says it is ready to operate Tatopani, but reopening depends on China’s approval.
The latest comments suggest that diplomatic and administrative discussions are in progress with Nepal seeking an early reopening while China is assessing the current situation given the recent natural disasters.
If the two sides are able to come to an agreement, reopening Tatopani will be very beneficial to cross-border trade and will also give Nepal and China access to a key supply route.
