A two-day shipping secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and India ended successfully on Thursday. About 23 bilateral issues were discussed in the marathon meeting. Bangladesh shipping secretary Abdus Samad and Indian shipping secretary Gopal Krishna lead their respective delegations in the two-day meeting at Hotel InterContinental in the capital. The last secretary-level meeting between the countries was held at New Delhi in October 2018.
After finished the meeting, Bangladesh shipping secretary Abdus Samad said in a briefing, “We are trying to increase connectivity between two countries. As a result, Bangladesh and India will be benefited.” He said, “We have proposed to India to dredging of the 74 kilometres Rajshahi-Pakshi waterways jointly. India agreed with this proposal. To this end, a technical committee will start work soon.” “It was discussed in the meeting to undertake dredging operations of the river Arial at the 42-kilometre length of the India side. Indian shipping secretary has agreed to do it,” he added.
Atrai river originated at Siliguri in India. From there, the river flows through Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Natore and Pabna districts. The total length of the river is 352 kilometre, while it flows 42 kilometres through India. The shipping secretary said, “According to our proposal India will develop a drop facility. To this end, they will build a drop centre in Kolkata. We also proposed to India for on arrival visa for crew and our tourists. They accepted our proposal and assure that it will be conveyed to the Indian home ministry.”
Abdus Samad further said India wants to use 7 high way routes in Bangladesh. Both countries agreed about the issue. In January, India will use the route Chattagram-Akhaura-Tripura as a first time trial basis. After completing two more trials, both countries will decide about it. However, India will pay port and highway charge as per rule.
According to sources, Bangladesh wants to include Nakugaon land port as part of the agreement to use Chittagram and Mongla ports of Bangladesh to transport goods to various states of India by waterways, which was also discussed in the meeting. Nakugaon land port will develop as a new route, which will help to transport of goods between Asham-Nepal-Chattogram. As a result, transportation cost will be reduced.
The other agendas include facilitation to introduce trade between Chilmari-Dhubri by shallow draft mechanised vessels and smooth management of passenger and cruise vessels, which was agreed by both countries. Bangladesh has also agreed to make Muktarpur summit alliance. Indian shipping secretary Gopal Krishna said, “The discussion was fruitful and both countries are satisfied. We agreed to most of the issues and some are in discussion process. Hope the two countries will be benefited.”
“Bangladesh is the most relevant suitable point for India. The transportation cost is very low here. The strength of both countries will reduce transportation cost and time. I am extremely satisfied. The relationship will develop more in future,” he added.
