Nathula (East Sikkim), Aug 01: For the first time after the recent Sino-Indian agreement on border trade, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today visited Nathula to take stock of the state's infrastructural requirements in the area following the pact. Talking to reporters at the historic Nehru Pillar at Nathula, Chamling said the visit was needed as his government was preparing a master plan on the infrastructural and trade requirements of the state in the wake of the trade pact to be submitted to the Centre within two months.

"Without a strong infrastructural set-up both in terms of trade and security, the country cannot fully reap the benefits of the historic agreement?", the Chief Minister said. He said he would also meet senior army officials posted along the border to assess their needs and requirements following the agreement.

Chamling said all states should cooperate with each other to make the most of this great opportunity from which both India and China could immensely benefit.

Bureau Report