The Hindu Business Line : Nathula trade symbolic of better ties: China

MS BU JIANGUO (extreme right), Leader of the visiting Chinese delegation, talking to Chinese traders from the Tibet Autonomous Region at Sherathang trade mart on the Indian side of the border at Nathula. — Sarikah Atreya

Nathula (Indo-China border) June 4 China perceives the resumption of trade through Nathula as an indicator of good relations with India, according to Ms Bu Jianguo, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India.

"The resumption of trade through the Nathula Pass is symbolic of improved relations between India and China. Nathula trade should serve as a bridge to greater understanding and friendship between the two nations," she said.

Ms Bu is leading a four-member Chinese delegation that has arrived in Gangtok to assess and review the Nathula trade.

Speaking to newspersons informally before the delegation crossed into the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Ms Bu said that she was "satisfied" with the infrastructural development at the Sherathang Trade Mart on the Indian side.

While noting the fact that the imports from China through Nathula in May this year stood at zero, Ms Bu said that it was imperative that bilateral trade took place.

"Unilateral trade will definitely not help any one. By trading through Nathula, both Tibet and Sikkim should first benefit."

Ms Bu also said that tourism development between China and India through Nathula had "great prospects" and should be promoted adequately.

The Chinese delegation was escorted by the Director, Department of Industries and Commerce, Sikkim, senior officials and members of the Indo-China Traders Association of Sikkim (ICTAS).

The team inspected the infrastructure at the mart and visited the stalls. Later, the delegation also interacted with Chinese traders at the mart.

The Chinese delegation was given a ceremonial welcome by the guards of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) before being escorted into the TAR by Chinese officials.

The team will visit and inspect the infrastructure at the Donqingang trade mart in TAR.

They are expected to return to Gangtok on Tuesday and are scheduled to meet the Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling, before leaving Sikkim on June 6.

Yesterday, the ICTAS members, led by President Mr Chimmey Rinzing Bhutia, hosted a dinner for the Chinese delegation and had informal discussions with the team. Ms Bu was apprised of the some of the major problems faced by the traders from both countries. The revision and upgradation of the list of items for trade came up prominently during the discussions, sources said.

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