Chamling

Gangtok, June 30: As India and China prepare to reopen the trade route, chief minister Pawan Chamling treads carefully.

“Our aim is to maximise the benefits from border trade and minimise the fallout,” Chamling said, in an interview with The Telegraph.

He said acceptance of the demand for reopening the route to Tibet has “raised hopes of millions of people in both countries”.

With China agreeing to reopen the old route, the chief minister said the international acceptance of Sikkim’s merger with India in 1975 was now “complete”.

“Until now China has not recognised Sikkim’s integration with India. But, now it seems Beijing’s negative approach is over,” Chamling said. “Sikkim is not only an integral part of India, but has merged emotionally with India.”

China, however, has made clear that it has not yet changed its stance on Sikkim.

A Chinese government spokesman discounted media reports that the landmark agreement signed between the countries on the reopening of the trade route indicated a shift in China’s stance on Sikkim.

Chamling called the reopening of the routes a “significant” achievement of the Sikkim Democratic Front government.

“Since the SDF came to power in 1994, we have been consistently demanding the resumption of trade between India and Tibet through the former Nathu-la route to Lhasa,” he said.

The chief minister said the momentous decision would not only help improve the country’s relations with China, but also boost the state’s development.

But at the same time, the chief minister warned that the country should be vigilant about national security.

“We have certain responsibility when it comes to internal security. Sikkim is a sensitive border state and the nation’s security is uppermost in our mind,” he said, when asked to elaborate on his concerns for the country’s security.

Chamling said once the trade route reopened, it might result in an influx of people into the Himalayan state. “Pollution is another concern for us, brought on by a sudden spurt of trading activities.”

At the same time, the economic gains for the state will be enormous.

“Resumption of trade will definitely open up many opportunities for the state. It is up to the people of Sikkim to take the opportunities and translate them into economic gains.”

Asked about the controversy that Gangtok was favoured over Kalimpong, which also has a route to Tibet via Jelep-la, Chamling said, “There should not be any controversy over this. It was a right decision by the Centre in the greater interest of the country.”