State Home Minister Rao Visits Nathula
(Gangtok Times | Sikkim | October 28, 2002)
While addressing a press conference at hotel Tashi Delek, Union Minister of state, Mr C Vidyasagar Rao, expressed happiness to visit Sikkim and said, "Sikkim has tremendous possibilities for development of roaring tourism industry." He was simply enchanted to see the lofty Nathula pass, the main route to Tibet.
While replying to the presspersons about the possibility of opening trade route to Tibet, Mr C Vidyasagar Rao said, " the opening of Tibet trade depends on the normalization of relations between India and China." Talks are going on and he expressed hope that all the contentious issues including border issues would be settled sooner, he remarked.
Speaking about the Karmapa, Urgen Thinley Dorji, Mr Rao said his visit to Sikkim depends on the final decision of the Government of India. Regarding the status of Urgen Thinley Dorji, the Minister said, that is not important, what is important he is being treated as the honoured guest of India.
When asked about the "peace bonus" demanded by the Sikkim Chief Minister, Mr Rao said as a member of the North-East Council, Sikkim will receive adequate amount of funds to implement development projects.
Speaking on Maoists finding a safe shelter in Sikkim, the Minister replied in the negative, adding till now he has no information of their entry into Sikkim and trying to use Sikkim as the hideout. He has every confidence that the Sikkim government is capable to apprehend the possible entry of Nepal Maoists. Moreover, the Government of India will help financing the modernizing of the Sikkim police force.
Friends of Tibet (INDIA),
PO Box 16674, Bombay 400050
www.friendsoftibet.org