US diplomat in Gangtok

PTI | 05:04 PM,Apr 29,2011

Gangtok, Apr 29 (PTI) Speaking on thrust areas where the US would like to collaborate with Sikkim, a senior US diplomat today said that emphasis would be on eco-tourism and finding ways for sustainable development. Clinton S 'Tad' Brown, the Consul for Political and Economic Affairs at the office of the Consulate General of the USA in Kolkata, said the US would also like to join hands for the modernization of Sikkim. �We would like to be here and collaborate and support innovative projects as Sikkim moves towards the future. We don�t want to figure out what to do overnight but build a long lasting relationship�, he said. Stressing the need for environmental conservation, he appreciated the initiatives of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. Brown explained that scientific expertise into ecological conservation would also be an area where the US could assist in the coming days. Determining other priorities for Sikkim, he said that education, student exchange programmes, selling high-tech technology for renewable hydro- energy generation, environmentally inclined tourism and pharmaceuticals could be areas where the US investors could be interested in. �We will still spend some-time studying other areas where we can collaborate with the Government of Sikkim. We will also look at dealing with the local NGOs and how we can make their functioning more efficient. We will further study the agenda of the state government and decide on further issues. We will conduct surveys and more experts will start coming here now.We are positive that Sikkim is where we can collaborate without any �hindrances�, Brown said. "I have been to most of the Northeastern states but what I have found in Sikkim is that the people here are happy unlike other regions where violence is common. I am surprised that in Sikkim the three ethnic communities live like brothers and their cultures are interlinked. This is a phenomenal achievement in modern times which sets examples for all to follow�, he said.