Home ›› 08 Sep 2022 ›› Front
India has offered free transit via its territory to Bangladesh, aiming to help the country export products to other destinations through specific land customs stations, airports and seaports.
As part of the initiative, Indian stakeholders invited the Bangladesh business community to use the neighbouring country’s port infrastructure for transshipment to other destinations.
The announcement came in a joint statement following a bilateral talk between visiting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, held at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday.
At that meeting, the Bangladeshi delegation also requested rail connectivity with Bhutan through the newly inaugurated Chilahati – Haldibari route. In response, India agreed to consider the request, based on its viability and feasibility.
To make this and other cross border rail links viable, India requested Bangladesh to remove port restrictions, especially at the Chilahati – Haldibari crossing.
The two leaders agreed to expedite efforts to improve bilateral and sub-regional connectivity through early operationalisation of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement.
India sought Bangladesh’s cooperation for initiating new sub-regional connectivity projects including a highway from Hili in West Bengal to Mahendraganj in Meghalaya through Bangladesh and, in this regard, proposed preparation of a detailed project report.
In the same spirit, Bangladesh reiterated its eagerness to partner up in the ongoing initiative of the India – Myanmar – Thailand trilateral highway project.
Both nations also agreed to collaborate in new areas of cooperation, such as, environment, climate change, cyber security, ICT, space technology, green energy, and blue economy.
Bangladesh, India agree to start CEPA negotiation
The two leaders welcomed the recent finalisation of a Joint Feasibility Study establishing that a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will be beneficial for both countries.
They directed trade officials on both sides to start negotiations within the calendar year 2022 and to complete these at the earliest, in time for Bangladesh’s final graduation from LDC status.
Emphasis on removal of trade barriers
Reiterating the importance of facilitating trade between the two countries, they stressed the urgent need for up-gradation of infrastructure and facilities at the land customs stations/land ports, and for removal of port restrictions and other non-tariff barriers.
India reiterated its request for at least one major land port without port restrictions or negative list of restrictions, on the border with North Eastern States of India, for easier market access, starting with ICP Agartala-Akhaura.
Focus on emerging areas of cooperation
Bangladesh-India acknowledged the importance of leveraging the potential of new and emerging areas of cooperation and directed authorities on both sides to augment cooperation in cutting edge areas of peaceful use of outer space, green energy, nuclear energy, and technology enabled services in finance, health and education.
Uninterrupted supply of essentials sought
The two Leaders appreciated the growth in bilateral trade, with India emerging as the largest export destination for Bangladesh in Asia. Bangladesh requested India for a predictable supply of the essential food commodities such as rice, wheat, sugar, onion, ginger and garlic.
India conveyed that Bangladesh’s requests will be favourably considered based on prevalent supply conditions in their country, and all efforts will be made in this regard.
Committed to zero killing in border
Recognising that peaceful management of the India-Bangladesh border is a shared priority, the two leaders directed the officials to expedite work to complete all pending development work within 150 yards of the Zero Line – including fencing starting with the Tripura sector – with the objective of maintaining a tranquil and crime-free border.
Noting with satisfaction that the number of deaths due to incidents along the border has significantly reduced, both sides agreed to work towards bringing the number down to zero.
Both sides noted with appreciation the stepped up efforts by the two border guarding forces against smuggling of arms, narcotics and fake currency and to prevent trafficking, particularly of women and children.
Commitment to eliminate terrorism
Both Leaders reiterated their strong commitment to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and decided to further strengthen their cooperation to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation in the region and beyond.
Sub-regional connectivity underscored
The two leaders underscored the importance of implementing bilateral and sub-regional rail, road, and other connectivity initiatives.
Both sides welcomed the ongoing bilateral initiatives, such as conversion to dual-gauge of Tongi-Akhaura line, supply of railway rolling stock, capacity building for the personnel of Bangladesh Railway, sharing of IT solutions for improved services of Bangladesh Railway.
Both sides also welcomed the new initiatives, namely, Kaunia-Lalmonirhat-Mogalghat-New Gitaldaha link, establishing a link between Hili and Birampur, upgradation of track and signaling systems and railway stations along the Benapole-Jashore line, link restoration between Burimari and Changrabandha, and construction of a container depot at Sirajganj.
And both sides agreed to explore funding of these projects through a range of financial instruments under the bilateral development cooperation. Bangladesh welcomed the gesture of India for providing 20 broad-gauge diesel locomotives on grant.
The two leaders welcomed the successful completion of trial runs under the agreement on the use of the Chattogram and Mongla Ports (ACMP), and looked forward to its full operationalisation at the earliest.
The Indian side reiterated its request to work towards the expansion of the bilateral Coastal Shipping Agreement of 2015 to include third-country EXIM cargo.
The two sides agreed to expeditiously explore direct shipping links between the two countries.
They also agreed to implement the decision to start riverine services under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) routes 5 & 6 (Dhulian to Rajshahi–extension to Aricha) and 9 & 10 (Daudkandi to Sonamura).
The Indian side requested Bangladesh to complete remaining infrastructure, immigration, and customs facilities for the operationalisation of the Maitri Bridge over River Feni, connecting Tripura with Bangladesh, at an early date.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is on an official visit to India from September 5-8 at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. During the visit, she called on President of India Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy called on Sheikh Hasina during the visit.
