Arunachal, Sikkim sign MoU for joint programmes in tourism

Advocates for a Buddhist circuit comprising of Sikkim, Bhutan, Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have signed a memorandum of understanding for undertaking joint programmes in the tourism sector.

Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Minister Pema Khandu signed the MoU with his Sikkim counterpart Bhim Dhungel on Thursday at Gangtok, official sources said here today.

During an hour-long meeting, Khandu, highlighting the ancient pilgrimages of Arunachal such as Tzari and Pema-kho, advocated for a Buddhist circuit comprising of Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh.

Dhungel endorsed the issues raised by Khandu and agreed that both Sikkim and Arunachal could jointly work in the tourism sector for mutual benefit.

Tourism managers of both the states agreed that the Protected Area Permit was a major bottleneck for foreign tourists and resolved to jointly address the problem by placing it before the Home Ministry.

They also decided to move the North East MPs’ Forum for taking up the matter at their level, sources added.