Shimla: China Government would be extending technical and allied expertise in tourism; herbal, hydro power and horticulture sectors to Himachal Pradesh Government stated a high level Chinese delegation headed by the Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yan who called on Prem Kumar Dhumal, the Chief Minister today.
Prem Kumar Dhumal, raised the issue of providing access to the Mansarovar pilgrims through Himachal Pradesh, which was shortest and comparatively more safer to undertake pilgrimage to the Holy Mansarovar in Chinese territory. He said that he would also be writing to the Government of India to take up the matter with its Chinese counterparts so that the route was opened for pilgrimage through Himachal Pradesh and that it would go a long way in opening tourism promotion avenues to Chinese as well.
Welcoming investment and technical expertise of Chinese in promotion of different sectors, he said that bordering areas of both the countries had common topography where similar herbs could be cultivated to give boost to promote traditional system of ayurvedic medicines. He further stated that the State already had requisitioned the services of Chinese road Construction Company which would be creating quality infrastructure in the State.
Zhang Yan, Chinese Ambassador, said that the Chinese Government would be volunteering its expertise in various fields and that trade and commerce between both the countries was on the increase and about US$ 45 billion worth of it was being carried at the moment which was likely to increase further.
Chinese Ambassador invited Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, to visit China to see for himself the development and other projects of concern which could be beneficial to the State in future development.
This is a good news.
State government’s initiatives are praiseworthy. However these investments should also be seen as a move from the Chinese side to reduce the freedom of expression by State Govt. over Tibet issues and consequently force their opinion.
Since a road contract has been awarded to a Chinese government company, the Himachal government should use the window of opportunity offered to set a hydrology data exchange facility in place so as to save vital infrastructure along Satluj Valley which faces frequent flash floods, resulting in heavy losses to both human lives and road and hydroelectric station infrastructure.
On a reciprocal basis, Indian engineers were not allowed to visit Pareechu lake sometime ago just to assess the risk perception which the water body posed to downstream inhabitation’s and security reasons were cited as reasons for not doing so.
Secondly, opening of an alternate route to Lake Mansarovar, which passes through Shipki La in Satluj Valley should be negotiated.
Such a route will not only revive old contacts along the trade route that stand severed since 1962 but would also promote religious tourism in a big way.
What the H.P. Govt. is talking about ? they even are not able to give any good roads to the industrial areas.The C.M. should travel from Pinjore to Baddi,there is no road on 20 K.M. long drive ,it takes more than 1.5 hours.In the last one year if Govt. is not able to get the roads made to the industrial areas what to talk about China cooperation.
I think Govt. should be sincere in what they are talking and should not give bad name of India to other countries.