In the run-up to Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to India, the Gegong Apang government of Arunachal Pradesh is pushing for reopening ancient trade links with China from at least seven strategic locations along the 1,080-km boundary it shares with China. The trading outposts were closed after relationships between the two countries soured following the 1962 war.

Seeing border commerce as a way to boost the state economy and access to agriculture exports, Chief Minister Apang wants the matter to be raised during the bilateral talks.

“The relationship between India and China is improving. It will be a beginning of a step forward if the matter is taking up during their visit,” said Apang on telephone from Guwahati yesterday. “This will be a historic decision and our relations with China will only get stronger if trade resumes.”

Apang is expected to meet Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Commerce Minister Kamal Nath in New Delhi between November 15 and 16, a few days before the Chinese delegation arrives.

Located in remote and inhospitable terrain, the trade outposts identified are Bumla, Lumla and Zemithang (Tawang district), Kibithu (Lohit), Gelling (Upper Siang), Michuka (West Siang) and Taksing (Upper Subansiri). Most of these places have a rural population not more than 10 to 400 people and are predominantly manned by the armed forces, said a senior state official. For instance Bumla, which is less than a kilometre from the border, has no civilian population.

With the exception of Bumla, Michuka and Zemithang, which have paved roads, communication to the other places are bad or virtually non-existent. But the state official pointed out that distances between less than one and 45 km separate the Indian and Chinese outposts.

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