Dhaka is likely to propose to New Delhi the inclusion of a new provision in the bilateral trade agreement to allow access to third countries and levying of transit fees.
Officials said the move seeks to expand scope of the India-Bangladesh transit deal to permit trade with other neighbouring countries.
The proposal is likely to be conveyed to Indian authorities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) after getting approval from the next cabinet meeting.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) mooted the proposal at an inter-ministerial meeting, held last week. The commerce secretary was in the chair.
A meeting source said the proposal was accepted by the other relevant ministries.
The NBR proposal also got consent of the finance minister.
Officials said an NBR representative made the proposal against acceptance of India's proposal on auto-renewal and extension of tenure of the bilateral agreement for a five-year period from the exiting three-year provision.
At the meeting, the NBR official proposed to incorporate the following provision into the Article VIII of the India-Bangladesh Trade Agreement:
"The two governments agree to make mutually beneficial arrangements for the use of their waterways, roadways and railways for commerce between two places in one country and to third country through the territory of the other under the terms mutually agreed upon."
"In such cases, fees and charges, if leviable as per international agreements, conventions or practices, may be applied and transit-guarantee regime may be established through mutual consultations," it said. The Article VIII of the agreement now keeps the mutually beneficial arrangements confined to the two countries, officials said.
Official sources think Bangladesh and India both would benefit by expanding area of mutual benefits under the trade agreement.
Because, they noted, through the extended arrangements other landlocked and neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar, could be reached for trade purposes.
Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon wouldn't comment on the initiative until making any final decision.
Considering sensitivity of the bilateral relations, the matter should not come in discussion now, he said.
The tenure of the India-Bangladesh trade treaty is scheduled to expire on March 31, needing a renewal for its continuity.
Earlier, India made a proposal to extend the tenure of the trade agreement to five years from the existing three years. It also proposed to Bangladesh auto-renewal of the deal.
Relevant ministries, including commerce, finance, shipping and foreign, and the NBR, in the inter-ministerial meeting last week agreed to accept the proposal of India.
The existing trade agreement has been renewed through 'letter of exchange' in 2012 for three years.
On December 31, 2014, the MOFA sent a proposal to Delhi for extension of the agreement for three years.
In response, its Indian counterpart proposed some amendments to the agreement.
"This agreement shall come into force from the date of signature and shall continue to be in force unless either party terminates the present agreement by giving a written notice of its intention to terminate to the other party at least three months in advance," the Indian proposal said.
It also proposed to keep scope for modification, review or amendment of the agreement with mutual consent of the parties, by means of any implementing arrangements or additional protocols, which will be an integral part of the present agreement.
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