Tuki stresses on Indo-Myanmar cultural, economic ties

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, March 13: Ambassador of India to Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhay on Thursday called on Chief Minister bam Tuki at New Delhi and discussed possibilities of strengthening cultural and economic ties of Aruchal Pradesh with Myanmar. The chief minister, while appreciating the gesture, underscored the need for concerted efforts from all quarters to mainstream youths of the districts that share borders with Myanmar, a communique from the CMO said here today.

Asserting the state government’s priority to eradicate poverty and backwardness in different parts of the Indo-Myanmar border, he urged the Ambassador to initiate confidence building measures and help create meaningful synergies between people of both the countries.

Tuki stressed that equitable development would be possible only in a peaceful and productive atmosphere by boosting infrastructure growth and trade ties between the two regions. He also called to make functiol the Land Customs Station (LCS) at mpong which would benefit not only Aruchal Pradesh but also the entire North Eastern region. Tuki also mentioned that an effective realization of the Act East Policy would render it possible for the North Eastern region to significantly contribute to the growth of the country.

“We should see the region as the centre of possibilities. If one considers a catchment area with a radius of 1000 KM, the region would be central to at least 10 countries. This geo-strategic concept gains eminence in the light of the country’s Act East Policy. We can Act East only through Northeast India,” he observed.

He reiterated the importance of opening Indo-Myanmar connectivity through Pangsau Pass on the historic Stilwell Road. Mukhopadhay during the meeting mentioned that there is strong focus on Aruchal Pradesh in the Act East Policy and a road map for boosting trade and cultural ties with Myanmar is the need of the hour.

To this end, he said that he would lead a high level delegation from Myanmar to Aruchal Pradesh probably in the month of April next to explore various possibilities of collaboration, the communiqué added.