Guest guest Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 India-Northeast-Border Trade India is soon expected to begin formal border trade with China, Myanmar, and Bhutan to boost the local economy in the country's northeastern region, officials Saturday said. "The central government has agreed in principle to open six border trading points along the international border and this would make our state the real gateway to South Asia," Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Gegong Apang said by telephone. No specific dates were given for the opening of border trade. The tribal people in Arunachal Pradesh, a state of little over 1 million people, wedged between China, Myanmar, and Bhutan have been carrying out informal trade with the neighboring countries since ages. "There is tremendous scope for business in the border areas and once formal trading begins it would definitely boost the region's economy," H. Lollen, Trade and Commerce Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh, said. Following the signing of a trade agreement between India and Myanmar in 1995, border trade takes place on a daily basis only at Moreh in Manipur, in India's north-east. Indian automobile components, fruits, grains, vegetables, textiles and cotton yarn find a strong demand in almost all the neighboring countries. In the other direction, Indian traders are strongly interested in importing electronic gadgets, synthetic blankets, teak, gold, and semi precious stones. India and China are also likely to reopen the famed Silk Route for border trade between the two countries soon. A symbolic ceremony to mark the resumption of traditional trade was planned in October last year at the 15,000-feet (4,545 meter) Nathu La pass on the border between India's Sikkim state and China's Tibet region. Nathu La was a major trading point between the two countries before the 1962 war. It was also one of the main arteries of the Silk Road which historically linked China via Central Asia to Europe. In May last year, the two countries agreed that previously disputed Sikkim is part of India and set up a framework to discuss all border issues. China has never recognized the 1914 boundary, known as the McMahon Line, and claims 90,000 square kilometers (34,750 square miles) -- nearly all -- of Arunachal Pradesh. India also accuses China of occupying 38,000 square kilometers (14,670 square miles) in Kashmir. Meanwhile, regional governments in the northeast have exhorted New Delhi to boost border trade with South Asia by re-opening the historic World War II Stilwell Road, linking the region with China via Myanmar. News sent: 17:21 Saturday February 25, 2006 Print http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0602252804172100.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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