Talks centre around boosting tourism ties with Arunachal

Itanagar, Oct 11:Consul General from the Royal Bhutanese Consulate General Guwahati, Phub Tshering, who is on a two-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh today called on both the Governor and Chief Minister of the state in separate interactions.
Meeting with the Governor Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) here at Raj Bhavan, the Bhutanese Consul General discussed various bilateral issues for strengthening the age-old good relationship between the two neighbouring nations in general and Arunachal in particular which shares international border with the Himalayan kingdom. Governor while reiterating the strong cultural link between the state and Bhutan, suggested the Consul General to enhance tourism and cultural exchange programmes for students of higher education between universities of Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. He also took up the issue of Lumla-Tashigang road for strengthening border trade between the two countries and pointed out that apart from giving an alternate road for the people of Tawang to reach Guwahati and other parts of the country, it will also save lives of the sick needing medical attention during bad weather days due to reduction in distance. Governor added that distance from Tawang to Guwahati via Samdrupdzongkar is 395 kms as compared to the existing 550 kms route and thus a distance of 155 kms will be saved when Lumla-Tashigang road gets connected.
Appreciating the sense of cleanliness of the Bhutanese people, Governor said that there is a lot to learn from the people of the ‘Land of the Happiest Country’. Consul of the Bhutanese Consulate General, Sherub Phuntsho was also present in the meeting.
Bhutanese Consul General while making a courtesy call on Chief Minister Pema Khandu here at his office today had an informal discussion on issues ranging from trade, tourism, connectivity and cultural ties.
During discussion, Khandu emphasized the need for connecting Bhutan by road from Tawang, which he opined would boost  tourism sectors of both Bhutan and India benefiting Arunachal in particular. While informing that the road on the Indian side in Tawang district is almost ready, he pointed out that construction is yet to begin on the Bhutan side. He apprised the Consul General, who has consular jurisdiction over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland that rail connectivity to Tawang from Bhalukpong is expected to be completed by 2020 and there is further proposal for establishing an airport at Tawang.  “When these projects are complete, tourists will throng in West Kameng and Tawang districts in huge numbers and if we open the road from Tawang to Bhutan, both Arunachal and Bhutan will be immensely benefited and it will be a win-win situation for both of us,” he stressed.

CM added that the state government is ready to sort out any concern of the Bhutan government and proposed that till the road materializes, a ropeway could be constructed to attract tourists. He said that Bhutan is close to India and particularly Arunachal and appreciated their progress despite being a small country. Consul General Tshering while acknowledging Arunachal’s tourism potential said that there could be collaboration in tourism sector with focus on high-end tourism to generate revenue. “This is a big state and has huge potential,” he said and offered assistance and cooperation of his office for any fruitful endeavour. 
Consul Sherub Phuntsho also accompanied Tshering during the meeting. PRO Raj Bhavan, CMO

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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