AIZAWL, May 9 - Mizoram Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuango had a meeting with Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Saurabh Kumar at Rihkhawdar on the Myanmar side of the India-Myanmar border today during which they discussed issues pertaining to the bilateral trade between the two countries.
After visiting the border trade points and other facilities, they discussed ways to bolster the border trade, road connectivity and others with officials concerned.
Hastening of works on the ongoing Tiddim Road project within Myanmar, which is being executed with financial assistance from India, and construction of �friendship bridge� across the Tiau River that divides India and Myanmar were discussed in the meeting. It was also decided that a joint seminar on bilateral trade potential be held in Mizoram under the aegis of Ministry of External Affairs in order to bolster the hitherto unsystematic border trade.
The meeting also touched upon the proposed border haats at Myanmar and Mizoram villages to facilitate local trade between villagers from both sides of the border and decided that the works should be commenced at the earliest.
The issue of restoration �free movement regime� along the Mizoram-Myanmar border also figured in the meeting. The problems faced by people from Mizoram while visiting the Rih Dil lake in Myanmar was also raised in the meeting. The legendary lake that has cultural significance for the Mizos lies within Myanmar, about 20 kilometres from the border. The meeting discussed how to remove legal hassles for visitors who want to visit the lake. The officials who took part in the meeting today visited the lake on the sidelines of the meeting.
The officials also found that the facilities of various departments on the Mizoram-Myanmar border trade points are in need of renovation in order to regulate border trade. Line departments were tasked upon pursuing the matter.
Brigadier Vinod S, Commander, 23-Sector Assam Rifle, who gave a power-point presentation on the activities of the paramilitary force in guarding the border and strengthening ties between the two countries, said huge trade potential remains untapped.
