Arunachal MLA Advocates for Revival of Border Trade

Nationalist Congress Party MLA Toko Tatung urged the Arunachal Pradesh government to propose resuming border trade with South East Asian nations for the state’s economic upliftment. He cited historical trade ties and emphasized the potential benefits, especially under the Centre’s Act East Policy, advocating for efforts by regional lawmakers.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Toko Tatung has called on the Arunachal Pradesh government to urge the Centre to resume border trade with South East Asian countries, aiming to boost the state's economic development.

During a motion of thanks to the governor's address in the House on June 15, Tatung stressed the significant benefits of reopening border trade for the resource-limited state. He highlighted the historical India-China trade exceeding 100 billion dollars and the necessity of reviving commerce with China, Myanmar, and Bhutan under the Act East Policy.

''We should move a proposal to the central government requesting it to revive border trade with Myanmar through Pangsau Pass. If border trade is re-opened, it will be beneficial for a resource-crunch state like Arunachal Pradesh,'' Tatung stated.

Historically, India-Myanmar trade existed on a small scale before Independence. In 1950, both nations signed an agreement allowing hill tribes near the border to trade without passports within 40 km.

Despite a 2012 MoU establishing border haats at Pangsau Pass, trade operations stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tatung emphasized the critical nature of resuming border trades, asserting that such efforts align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on Northeast development. He urged Arunachal's MPs to champion this cause, highlighting its potential to transform the state's economy.

''Our two Lok Sabha MPs should put all-out efforts to re-open border trade,'' he reiterated.