Roadmap needed to boost Arunachal-Myanmar ties: Ambassador

ITANAGAR: A road map is needed to boost trade and cultural ties between Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar, Indian Ambassador in Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhyay has said.

Mukhopadhyay, who met with the state Chief Minister Nabam Tuki at New Delhi yesterday, said he would lead a high level delegation from that country to the state likely in April to explore possibilities of collaboration, a communiqué from the CMO said here today.

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

He also cited the need for making functional the Land Customs Station (LCS) at Nampong which would benefit not only Arunachal Pradesh but also the entire north eastern region.

"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'," he said.

He also reiterated the importance of opening Indo-Myanmar connectivity through Pangsau Pass on the historic Stilwell Road, the communiqué said.