Aruchal integral part of India: US Consul General
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITAGAR, April 29: US Consul General in Kolkata Craig L Hall on Thursday said that the US government is very clear that Aruchal is an integral part of India.
Craig who is in the State capital, during a meeting with Chief Minister Kalikho Pul said this while referring to the oft repeated claims of Chi over Aruchal Pradesh territory, an official report said here today.
He observed that India’s Look East Policy could be strengthened if road connectivity in the region is developed well, as Aruchal is located in a strategically important position having long intertiol borders with Chi, Myanmar and Bhutan.
Pul during the meeting asked the United States government to check and help in rectifying the world wide Google Maps wherein Chi has indicated Aruchal and some parts of Assam as a part of its territory.
Craig said that the US companies are keen in developing NE economy.
He said that private companies of the United States are looking for ways, though difficult it seems, for more connectivity in the region so that pace of developmental activities in the region can be accelerated and added that they are very much interested to expand their business in NE India too.
“In fact, the US government is working with the Indian counterpart to promote business relations with NE India” he said.
Pointing to the big market of hydro-power and tourism potential of the State, he said reports of business opportunities of the State could be sent to the Ambassador in Washington to encourage business in this direction.
He put forward his opinion to the chief minister for global tendering of the hydro-power and infrastructure developments projects of the State, so that the advertisement could also be sent to the business companies in US.
Craig also informed Pul that there were educatiol exchange programmes for teachers and professors between India and the United States and the teachers and professors from the State could take advantage of the programme.
He also informed that there is also a Youth Exchange Study (YES) programme for the high school students, who could undergo one year study in US under this educatiol exchange programme and for that the student has to apply to the US Consulate Office in Kolkata.
Craig said that he would be happy to see more applications and proposals from the high school students of the State applying for study in US under YES.
Discussing on various issues pertaining to development of the State and NE Region, Pul sought the support of the United States in developing road connectivity and harnessing hydropower of the State.
He informed that Aruchal has the potential of generating one-third of India’s power needs and said, “United States can use their technology of generating hydro power in the State”.
He said, “Western investors should feel free to invest in Aruchal”.
The chief minister also sought the help of the US for helping the State in capacity building, particularly in training, support and equipments for dealing with tural disasters as the State is vulnerable to tural calamities being located in a high-seismic zone with hilly terrain and undulating topography with high-volume, high-intensity rainfall.
The chief minister on his part called to make the educatiol exchange programmes more periodic and regular between the students of United States and Aruchal Pradesh so as to eble more students of the State to avail of the opportunity.
Pul further sought the assistance of the United States in getting loans from the Asian Development Bank and other world’s banks for various development projects in the State, the report added.
