New Delhi, Sept 07 (AIR News): India has invited the Bangladesh business community to use its port infrastructure for transshipment to other countries. 

The Indian side informed that it has offered free transit via its territory to Bangladesh for exporting its products to third countries through specified Land Customs Stations (LCS), Airports and Seaports, said the joint statement issued during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.

India has also been providing free transit to Bangladesh for exporting its products to Nepal and Bhutan. The Bangladesh side also requested rail connectivity with Bhutan through the newly inaugurated Chilahati - Haldibari route. The Indian side agreed to consider the request, based on its viability and feasibility. To make this and other cross-border rail links viable, the Indian side requested the Bangladesh side to remove port restrictions, at the Chilahati - Haldibari crossing among other things.

Reiterating the importance of facilitating trade between the two countries, both the leaders stressed the urgent need for up-gradation of infrastructure and facilities at the Land Customs Stations and Land Ports, and for removal of port restrictions and other non-tariff barriers at identified LCS. The Indian side reiterated its request for at least one major land port without port restrictions or a negative list of restrictions, on the border with the North Eastern States of India, for easier market access, starting with Integrated Check Post (ICP) Agartala-Akhaura. Both Leaders welcomed the progress made on India’s proposal to fund the development of a second freight gate at Petrapole-Benapole ICP and directed the officials to complete the work at the earliest.

In order to boost sub-regional connectivity, India requested Bangladesh for cooperation in 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 (DPR). In the same spirit, Bangladesh reiterated its eagerness to partner in the ongoing initiative of the India - Myanmar - Thailand trilateral highway project.

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 also 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) on Dhulian to Rajshahi -extension to Aricha (routes 5 & 6) and  Daudkandi to Sonamura ( routes 9 & 10) routes.

The Indian side requested Bangladesh to complete the 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 of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina today conferred the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarship at a function in New Delhi. The first ever Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarships was confered on the direct descendants of soldiers, officers of Armed Forces of India who were martyred or critically wounded during the historic Liberation war of 1971.
       
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar who attended the function said, India-Bangladesh relations have taken great strides forward in ways that have not only shaped the contemporary but also the future trajectory of the partnership in mind. He said, the relationship between two countries are in many ways a continuation of the bonds that were forged in blood, fifty years ago.

He said, today, as we remember that time, we honour the iconic symbol of the historic 1971 Liberation War, a statesman, who liberated from oppression, the spirit of a brave people and brought forth a nation. He added that for us in India, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is iconic- a man of action, courage and conviction. Dr Jaishanlar said, as a mark of respect to him, both countries have also commissioned a Biopic on him, which is nearing completion.