ITANAGAR, March 26 � Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma (Retd) today advocated for strengthening India-China relations through cooperation, not confrontation.
Addressing a two-day seminar on �Voices from Arunachal: India-China Border Problems and related Arunachal Folklore� at Rajiv Gandhi University here, Sharma said the benefits of cooperation were more. �India and China�s dreams of being strong, developed and prosperous nations are interconnected and mutually compatible,� he said.
The Governor commended the collaborative initiative to understand the local perspective at the grassroots of the border State by documenting the folklores and oral history. �We must listen to the issues that matter to the people of the State and appreciate them,� he said.
Sharma pointed out the economic and vital strategic significance of Arunachal Pradesh and the North East and its potential in terms of its proximity to eight Asian countries as gateway to the South East and East Asia.
Highlighting on the demographic connectivity, he said Arunachal Pradesh has ancient linkages with places like Tibet and Myanmar through human migration over the ages.
Referring to reopening of the old Silk Route and Stilwell Road, he said, �The Centre is working on strengthening bilateral relations on the basis of the Prime Minister�s vision of �Inch Towards Miles�.
The seminar was organised by Research Centre for Eastern and North Eastern Regional Studies, Kolkata and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute for Asian Studies, Kolkata in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi University. � PTI
Correspondent adds: Arunachal Pradesh stands tall along the eastern borders as the sentinel of the country, State Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said while addressing the inaugural session of the seminar yesterday.
�Though a late starter in the journey of development, we have come a long way witnessing many highs and lows from the NEFA days to the present stage�, he recalled.
The development policy of Government of India towards Arunachal Pradesh was with a sense of caution till recently. However, announcement of mega economic package of about Rs 33,000 crore in 2008 by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, changed the face of developmental trajectory of the State, he said.
Tuki said, with roads and telecommunication reaching far-flung villages, it has now become very easy for the researchers, scholars to study and document the rich unexplored treasure, folklores of distinct communities and tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
Earlier, Maj Gen Arun Roye (retd) from CENERS-K gave the introductory speech and Rajiv Gandhi University Vice Chancellor Prof Tamo Mibang delivered the keynote address.