Advice for Nathu-la to be normal trading centre

Gangtok , Sikkim : A taskforce of the National Planning Commission has recommended that Nathu-la be developed as a land customs station to facilitate “normal” trade links between India and China.

Currently, the pass at 14,400ft is limited to border trade with only 44 items on the import-export list.

“The objective is to make this outpost a normal trading centre so as to increase trade,” said Shyam Saran, the special envoy of the Prime Minister. Saran said an additional 24 items have been identified by the Centre to be added to the list after a discussion with the Chinese government.

Describing the reopening of the pass as a positive development, the special envoy said both sides are keenly observing how trade develops in the near future.

“Once it becomes beneficial to both sides, other demands like bus services from Gangtok to Lhasa (in Tibet Autonomous Region) will become a reality.”

Saran was here to speak on role of border states in India’s foreign relations and regional economic cooperation, as part of the eminent persons’ lecture series organised by the Sikkim government.

The former foreign secretary also highlighted the need to link border states to neighbouring countries via road, rail and air for economic development. He said Sikkim’s geographical location was an asset to the country.

Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling and vice-chancellor of the central university Mahendra P. Lama were also present at the lecture today.

Source: The Telegraph