Notes

New Delhi, Dhaka to hold talks on comprehensive ties

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Last Updated25/06/2024

India and Bangladesh agreed to begin a dialogue on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) paving the way for broader economic ties between the two neighboring economies.

The Prime Minister of India said the two sides will intensify connectivity and energy collaboration, and announced that trade between the two countries is being conducted in the Indian currency.
Between Akhaura and Agartala, the sixth India-Bangladesh cross-border rail link has been started.
Cargo facility for India’s northeastern States has been started through the Khulna-Mongla Port.
Both units of the 1,320-MW Maitree Thermal Power Plant have started generating electricity.
Trade in Indian rupee has started between the two countries.

The two sides signed multiple MoUs covering maritime cooperation and economy, rail connectivity, oceanography, health and disaster management among others.
Elaborating on the MoU on railway connectivity apart from the six existing cross-border railway links between the countries, the document focuses on “transit that they afford between different parts of India through the territory of Bangladesh.”
The connectivity essentially strengthens a very large part of economic infrastructure within Bangladesh.
It is understood that India will attempt to run a train service in the near future that will connect north-eastern States like Tripura with West Bengal through the territory of Bangladesh.
Rangpur, which is strategically located between West Bengal and Assam, is also important as it is nurtured by the waters of the Teesta, which is a matter of protracted negotiation between the countries.
The prime minister announced that a technical team from India will soon visit Bangladesh to discuss conservation and management of the Teesta.
He also announced that India will start issuing e-medical visas to deal with the surging demand for medical visas from Bangladesh.