India’s Ambassadors to Nepal, Thailand and Madagascar met Uttarakhand Governor Krishan Kant Paul and Chief Minister Harish Rawat here in on Friday. Varied developmental possibilities for Uttarakhand were discussed during the meeting. These Ambassadors are under a special mission from June 1-3.
The Governor said that Uttarakhand has conducive conditions for foreign investment in different spheres. If these possibilities will be showcased and projected effectively, foreign investment could be brought to Uttarakhand.
There is a 325 km long highway from Tughlaqabad dry port (Delhi) to Banbasa located in the border area of Uttarakhand touching Nepal’s western border and just 30 kilometres away from Mahendranagar which is considered to be the industrial/ trade centre of Nepal. This highway joining Tughlaqabad and Uttarakhand could be beneficial in Indo-Nepal trade activities.
The barrage on the Sharda river which connects Banbasa and Mahendranagar has now become old. During the discussion on promoting trade between Uttarakhand and western Nepal, the ambassador to Nepal said that work on strengthening the Sharda river barrage was underway in accordance with the agreement between India and Nepal.
The Governor told the ambassador to Thailand that Uttarakhand has considerable scope for herbal spas. It came up during the discussion that Thailand was interested in investing in the pharmaceutical industry in Uttarakhand. The governor presented mementos to ambassador to Nepal Ranjeet Ray, ambassador to Thailand, Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi and ambassador to Madagascar, Chandra Ballabh Thapliyal .
The chief minister told the Indian ambassador to Nepal that the people of Nepal and Uttarakhand have a history of cultural interaction and other linked aspects since old times. Considering the convenience of people from both sides focus needs to be laid on the road and bridge connectively on Indo-Nepal frontier regions. Resolution of local problems might be maximised if the district magistrates and and other officials of frontier districts of both nations hold regular meetings. The CM asked to prepare a working plan on cultural exchange initiatives. Rawat and Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Ray described Pancheshwar dam important for both countries.
Indian Ambassador to Thailand, Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi said that there is considerable potential in the pharmaceuticals sector in Uttarakhand. Thai pharmaceutical companies might invest in the State. CM gave directions to the SIIDCUl MD R Rajesh Kumar to prepare a proposal in this regard. Bishnoi suggested that road shows might be organised to elicit capital investment in the State.
Indian Ambassador in Madagascar and origin resident of Uttarakhand CB Thapliyal suggested that marketing arrangements for the farm production of farmers of hilly areas should be given special importance. CM informed that State Government was providing bonus amount on various local crops and trying to create demand of these crops.