With the road being cleared for trade between India and Myanmar via the Pangsau Pass on the Arunachal Pradesh border, the historic Stilwell Road is likely to come alive with commercial activities.

“The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of the Ministry of Home Affairs has recently agreed in-principle to allow border trade between India and Myanmar for economic development of the North-East,” Trade and Commerce Commissioner, Mr Makbul Pertin, told PTI.

Arunachal Pradesh had submitted proposals to the Centre for beginning border trade with China, Bhutan and Myanmar at various locations.

The proposed border points in Arunachal Pradesh for trade with China include Bumla (Tawang district), Kibitho (Anjaw), Taksing (Upper Subansiri), Mechuka (West Siang) and Geling (East Siang), while Dongsengmang and Blating in Tawang district have been proposed as the points for border trade with Bhutan.

“Border trade with Myanmar through Pangsau Pass will transform the economy of North-East by reducing time, cost and distance involved in trade with China and South-East Asia,” Mr Pertin said.

Myanmar has established an administrative and immigration post, as well as a market complex on their border with India.

“There is no Myanmarese custom post at Pangsau. However, a customs station is located at Tenai, at a distance of 160 km from Pangsau Pass,” he said.

The Arunachal Pradesh Government has been taking up construction of a ‘border haat’ marketplace, immigration office and bank facilities with foreign exchange services, besides posting security forces to assist all departments for operation of border trade.

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