If there can be border trade through Nathu La pass in Sikkim, Lipukekh pass in Uttarakhand , why not build the Stilwell road- Arunachal CM
Itanagar
The people of Arunachal Pradesh have high expectations from leaders of both the countries India and China, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi in improving and strengthening Indo-China relationship. stated Chief Minister Pema Khandu. He reasoned that Arunachal Pradesh will benefit the most in such a scenario.
Khandu was speaking on the topic ‘Towards bridging the Indo-China Relationship for an Emerging Asia’ as part of the 7th Late Rutum Kamgo Memorial Lecture organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Charitable Trust here at Dorjee Khandu State Convention Center today.
For prosperity of Arunachal Pradesh, North East India and for the Act East policy to succeed, Khandu called to look at the region from the lens of trade too. He said if there can be trade through Nathu La pass in Sikkim and in Uttarakhand through the Lipukekh pass, why not build the Ledo road.
He pointed that the Ledo Road or the Stilwell Road, as it is popularly known, was the prime mover for cross-border trade and economic integration in the region.
“If this road is operational. this will not only facilitate the movement of goods but will also help in building cultural and people to people ties,” he said.
The Chief Minister also advocated focusing on building relations with ASEAN countries, which he claimed, will benefit the entire North East immensely.
He expressed gratitude to the central leadership for making reality the Act East Policy, fruits of which are being witnessed at the grassroot level and thanked the Union Defence Minister for visiting the state time and again.
The 7th Late Rutum Kamgo Memorial Lecture was attended by several ministers, legislators and officers of the state government along with students, youths and activists.
The Lecture is conducted in memory of Late Rutum Kamgo, a dedicated first generation worker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the first Secretary of the Arunachal Pradesh Charitable Trust. Born in West Siang, Late Rutum Kamgo tirelessly worked to defend and preserve the indigenous culture.
