Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina inaugurated three projects in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday. One of the key projects is a rail link between Tripura’s Nischintapur and Gangasagar in Bangladesh. The other two projects are the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line and Unit 2 of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh’s Rampal.
The rail project between Agartala and Akhaura is expected to boost cross-border trade and significantly reduce travel time between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka. Once completed, the rail link will cut the travel time from Kolkata to Agartala from 36 hours to 12 hours. Prime Minister Modi described the inauguration as a “historic” moment.
These projects are crucial for India’s Look East Policy and will improve connectivity to the northeast region, which is currently dependent on the narrow Chicken’s Neck or Siliguri Corridor. They also demonstrate India’s commitment to the Bay of Bengal region, as seen in its involvement with organizations like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
During the inauguration, PM Modi emphasized the impact of these projects, particularly during the pandemic with the transportation of oxygen trains. He highlighted that this rail link is the first between the northeast and Bangladesh and praised the increase in bilateral trade and the opening of immigration check posts on the India-Bangladesh border.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed gratitude to India for its contribution to connectivity, trade, and commerce. She emphasized the strong friendship and collaboration between the two countries and thanked PM Modi for his hospitality during her visit to New Delhi in September 2023. She also appreciated India’s production of a biopic on Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.
The collaboration between India and Bangladesh in the connectivity and power sectors is seen as a shining example of their cooperation. These projects not only strengthen ties between the two countries but also lay the groundwork for further cooperation and the opening of passenger and freight routes. Additionally, they provide alternative supply routes for the northeastern states of India.
Overall, the inauguration of these projects marks a significant milestone in the India-Bangladesh relationship and sets the stage for enhanced cooperation and connectivity in the future.
