[jojoba]

I wonder what the people in Arunachal actually think. The majority of people in Arunachal are ethnic Tibetan and Thai-Burmese (so Mongoloid-looking). Northeast India is separated from the rest of India by Bangladesh.

I think the Indian reaction is especially strong given the Chinese president's pending visit to India.

[jojoba]

I wonder what the people in Arunachal actually think.

Bureau Report, Zee News (India)

New Delhi, Nov 15: Notwithstanding Beijing's claim on his state, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang today urged the centre to reopen ancient trade links along the Sino-Indian border for the mutual benefit of both countries.

"Let them (governments of India and China) talk on the border issue. But we can do business. I have already written to the centre to open nine trading posts along the border for the benefit of the people of both countries," Apang told a news agency on the sidelines of a meeting of the North Eastern Council here.

Asked about Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi's claim that Arunachal Pradesh is "Chinese territory", Apang said he did not want to comment on the matter as External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has already made a strong statement to say that the state is an integral part of India.

I think it is not appropriate on my part to comment on that. That should be left to the MEA," Apang said.

Located in remote and inhospitable terrain, the trade posts identified by Apang include Bumla, Lumla and Zemithang (in Tawang district), Kibithu (Lohit), Gelling (Upper Siang), Taksing (Upper Subansiri) and Michuka (West Sinag).

These posts were closed after relationships between India and China soured after the 1962 war between them.

"Even if there is no road at the identified sites, we should go ahead with the proposal. We can also start barter trade," Apang said.