Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh Government was yet to be taken into confidence by the Centre about the current Indo-China talks though the State has a long boundary with that country, State Chief Minister Gegong Apang has said.

According to an official release today (Dec 3, 2004), Apang said this to US Consul General George N Sibley and his economic advisor Sourav Sen who called on the Chief Minister in Itanagar yesterday (Dec 2, 2004).

During the hour-long discussion, Apang said he was concerned about the outcome of the Indo-China talks and opening of trade with China across the border as it would benefit the people on both sides.

He advocated for starting semi-barter system of trade through porter tracks, which was appreciated by the visiting Consul General, the release said.

Apang said the system of issuing inner line permits to non-Arunachalees visiting the State could not be withdrawn till the infrastructure in the State is built up and the indigenous people became economically sound.

Otherwise, due to influx of non-Arunachalees, the State's age-old culture would be lost and the demographic pattern would be disturbed, he said.

Apang invited US firms having interest in hydel power generation and promoting tourism to invest in Arunachal Pradesh, which has huge potential in these sectors.