India has ruled out setting up trading centres along its border with China in Arunachal Pradesh. It added that such an initiative could be taken only when Beijing agrees to it.
China has to agree. We can’t enforce anyone. There has to be mutual consent, then only ‘border haats’ can be set up.Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home to Lok Sabha during Question Hour
Rijiju’s statement came when Congress MP from Arunachal Pradesh Ninong Ering asked why India can’t set up ‘border haats’ along the Sino-Indian border in the state. The minister said without cooperation from the other country, no trade can take place in any ‘border haat’.
Currently, India has a border trading post with China at Nathu La, Sikkim. Rijiju said India and Bangladesh have agreed to set up six more ‘border haats’ soon for promotion of trade along the international borders.
At present, four ‘border haats’, two in Meghalaya and two in Tripura, are functional along Indo-Bangladesh border and the four new ‘border haats’, two in Tripura and four in Meghalaya, will be set up soon.
The establishment of ‘border haats’ is expected to promote the well being of the people in areas across the borders of the two countries, which in turn will maintain peace and tranquility in the border regions.Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs
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