In line with a long list of railway connectivity projects, both sides on Saturday signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), expanding transit facilities for the movement of Bangladeshi goods to Nepal and Bhutan through the Indian railway network. bilateral discussions have shown this.
Meanwhile, the freight train service will commence between Gede station in the central region of West Bengal, via Darshana-Chilahati in Bangladesh to Haldibari in the northern part of West Bengal. The service will then continue to Hasimara via the Dalgaon railway head (as and when operational) at the India-Bhutan border.
Both sides have also committed to the early implementation of the Bangladesh Bhutan Nepal India Motor Vehicle Agreement to promote sub-regional connectivity.
Both sides also aim to develop intra-regional electricity trade, including competitively priced power generated by clean energy projects in India, Nepal and Bhutan, through the Indian electricity grid. “To this end, we will expedite the construction of a high-capacity 765 kV interconnection between Katihar-Parbatipur-Bornagar with appropriate Indian financial assistance, to serve as an anchor for our network connectivity,” the joint statement said.
In trade and investment, countries have been fighting for an early start to negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Early operationalization of two SEZs offered by Bangladesh to India at Mongla and Mirsharai, opening of new border areas and trade facilitation to promote bilateral trade are also targeted.
Aligning national visions
Two policy initiatives pursuing partnerships in digital and green growth were also confirmed by both sides. This move is in line with the respective broader visions of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and ‘Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041’.
“These will build a transformative partnership between India and Bangladesh by leveraging green and digital technologies to promote economic growth, sustainable and climate-resilient development, environmental conservation, cross-border digital exchange and regional prosperity,” the joint statement said. Both countries are among the most vulnerable in the world when it comes to major demographic and economic upheavals caused by rapid climate change.
Both will also pursue cooperation in frontier technologies, including civil nuclear energy, oceanography and space technology.
Recognizing the importance of water management in our bilateral relations, the countries have committed to prioritizing data exchange and formulating the framework for interim water sharing, based on the recommendations of the Joint Rivers Commission.
“We welcome the formation of a Joint Technical Committee to initiate discussions for the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996. As part of our development cooperation, we will also undertake the conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh, with Indian assistance within a mutually agreed time frame,” the statement said.
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