Arunachal wants 3 border trade points with China

Guwahati, Nov 26: Arunachal Pradesh wants three border trade points on the Chinese frontier, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh has said.

''Arunachal Pradesh wants three trade points at Bumla near Tawang, Mechuka in West Siang and Takshing in Upper Subansiri,'' Mr Ramesh told mediapersons yesterday.

Mr Ramesh was visiting Arunachal Pradesh and exploring the possibility of expanding the border trade of the frontier state with China, Myanmar and Bhutan.

''According to Arunachal Pradesh government proposal, Bumla should be developed liked Nathula. We will send the proposal to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and they will take that up with China,'' he said.

''I feel the concern of the locals about the future of Tawang. I want to make it clear that future of Tawang is non-negotiable. Tawang will continue to be part of India,'' said Mr Ramesh.

Mr Ramesh was more keen on improving the border trade with Myanmar. ''Its nice to know that there was a land custom agreement between India and Myamnar at Nampong way back in 1952. We are reviving it and spending Rs 2.6 crore for the border facility.'' Myanmar will now formally authorise the land customs point at Nampong and India as a concession to build 60 kms of road into Myanmar. ''Since these are now major points of bilateral trade, we do not foresee any problem,'' he said.

UNI