India-Forums.TV

[nahia]

BEIJING: Chinese engineers blasted through the last part of a tunnel that will connect Metok in Tibet Autonomous Region, bordering Arunachal Pradesh, to the rest of the country on Wednesday. The news broke shortly after Chinese premier Wen Jiabao arrived in New Delhi for a three-day visit.

The two sides are likely to discuss the border dispute that includes Beijing's claim over the northeastern state during Wen's visit. India and China have held 14 rounds of talks to resolve the dispute so far.

Metok, the region's last isolated county, is also the place where the Brahmaputra enters India. Recently, New Delhi conveyed its concerns to Beijing over China's plans to build a dam on the river.

China has spent $20 billion on developing infrastructure in Tibet, causing concern in New Delhi as it provides Beijing the capability to move troops quickly to the areas bordering India.

The 3.3km Galongla Tunnel, built at an altitude of 12,300 feet, would connect Metok with China's national highway system. The tunnel's completion triggered celebrations. China's Central Television showed workers dancing, cheering and tossing each other in the air.

Metok in eastern Tibet, with a population of 11,000, remains cut off for about nine months the year due to rough weathers condition that make travel along the difficult terrain with sharp drops from the Himalayas to tropical rivers. Tibetan activists fear the rush to build infrastructure would wreck the area's ecosystem.

Meanwhile, hopes rose for 22 Indian traders with Wen's visit as the Chinese government indicated that it will handle the case as per discussions being carried out with Indian authorities.