Gangtok/Itanagar, Oct 28 (PTI) Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday met his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu in Tawang and offered prayers at a monastery, seeking peace and prosperity for the people of his state.
Tamang, in a social media post, described Khandu as his “good friend” and said he looked forward to participating in the 14th International Tourism Mart (ITM), an important platform to showcase the Northeast’s cultural heritage, natural beauty and tourism potential.
He expressed hope that the event would lead to fruitful discussions and strengthen regional collaboration for the growth and development of the northeastern states.
Earlier in the day, Tamang visited the Thongmin Gumpa in Tawang and offered prayers for the peace, prosperity, happiness and well-being of the people of Sikkim.
Describing the visit as a “blessed and humbling experience”, the chief minister said the monastery’s spiritual significance inspired faith, compassion and harmony.
“I pray that the blessings of the Almighty continue to guide our people, strengthen the bonds of unity and brotherhood, and bring lasting peace and prosperity to our beloved Sikkim,” he said in the post.
The 14th ITM is scheduled to begin on Thursday.
Khandu, who welcomed Tamang, said the Sikkim CM’s participation would add significance to the three-day event and strengthen ties between the two northeastern states.
Khandu, in a social media post, expressed confidence that the shared commitment of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim to promoting tourism would help showcase the region’s tourism potential.
Earlier in the day, Khandu inspected the venue of the event.
“Inspected the venue for the upcoming 14th ITM in Tawang, along with senior tourism officials to review the preparations and arrangements for this prestigious event,” he wrote in a separate post.
“Tawang is all set to extend a warm welcome to delegates from across India and abroad!” he added.
Tawang will host the ITM from October 29 to 31, bringing together more than 200 domestic and international tourism stakeholders to promote the Northeast as a tourism destination and facilitate business partnerships.
Organised by the Union Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government and other northeastern states, the event is expected to attract 43 international buyers from 22 countries, besides domestic buyers, tour operators and tourism service providers.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi and Khandu are scheduled to attend the inaugural programme on Thursday.
A meeting of tourism ministers from the northeastern states is also scheduled for October 30 to discuss tourism development and strengthen regional cooperation.
The ITM is returning to Tawang after 13 years. The town last hosted the event’s second edition in 2013, while the previous edition was held in Gangtok in Sikkim in November last year. PTI CORR ACD
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