Guwahati: Pinning Assam’s economic surge on a normal India-China relation, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said no one will be able to prevent the state’s growth if relation between the two nations normalised and China recognised Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India.Speaking to the media on completion of 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led NDA govt at the state BJP headquarters, Sarma said peaceful and cordial relationship with neighbouring countries was a must for northeast to progress.“I see a much bigger future for Assam, once India-China relations are normalised. Once Tawang, Arunachal, is declared as a territory of India (by China), then who will stop Assam?” Sarma said.The Assam CM said if free movement of vehicles was made possible till Tibet, then no one could stop Assam from flourishing.Incidentally, Sarma’s comments come weeks ahead of a possible visit by Japan PM for a summit in July. He further said if relation between Bangladesh and Myanmar could be normalised, Assam would become unstoppable.The Assam CM added that the British era historic Stilwell Road, connecting eastern Assam to China through Myanmar, can also be rebuilt overnight to further the state’s economic ambition.“I know that many developmental activities are happening in Arunachal Pradesh as a result of strategic thinking because if we cannot develop Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, too, will be in a vulnerable position. Any infra development in Arunachal is good for us,” Sarma said.“Our suggestion before the demography committee will be to scrutinise very closely every family living along the border areas,” Sarma said, before adding, “If demography gets changed, it is a matter of concern.”
