Experts see no risk in providing India port facility
Sunday, 13 September 2009
As Bangladesh and India have endeavoured a fresh and firm diplomatic initiative to reshape bilateral relations, experts have upheld the move and recommended a holistic approach, reaping maximum mutual benefits by removing all barriers, reports BSS.
The recent joint statement of the two neighbouring countries on such bilateral efforts has prompted comments and suggestions from eminent economists and experts on international relations and regional issues. After a fruitful meeting held last week in the Indian capital city of New Delhi, the two countries in a joint statement agreed to reach better understanding on a number of areas of mutual interests.
The significant outcomes from the meeting are India's consent to allow Bangladesh's transit to Nepal and Bhutan, provide at least 100MW power on priority basis, increase trade and communication facilities and resolve other outstanding issues.
One of the key issues of the statement is the Indian proposal for allowing it Ashuganj river port to facilitate transportation of the consignments for the Palatana power project in Tripura.
"I fully support the idea as there will be no harm rather the country will benefit from it," said eminent economist Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed.
The economist advocated for transit facility between India and Bangladesh and believes relations in broader aspect are a necessity to explore mutual benefits.
He strongly disagrees with the argument that providing India with transit facility will raise security concern.
"People need to think positively in a realistic way.
Surrounded by a large land border with India, it does not sound realistic that a simple transit will harm the country's security," said Dr Ahmed.
Former UN-ESCAP director for transport, communication, tourism and infrastructure development Dr M Rahmatullah sees no harm in providing India another call of port facility at Ashuganj river port.
"Already, we are providing India with such facility for four ports in Mongla, Khulna, Narayanganj and Sirajganj. Bangladesh is also getting similar facility from India in Kolkata, Haldia, Karimganj and Pandu (on Brahmaputra river in Assam province) ports," he said.
Dr Rahmatullah, now transport policy adviser for the Transport Sector Management Reform (TSMR) Programme of the Bangladesh Planning Commission, said Ashuganj port will be a one-off facility for India only for the consignment of a power project.
"It will bring Bangladesh some extra tariff and will increase water traffic on the route, which will eventually create some new employment," he said.
The recent joint statement of the two neighbouring countries on such bilateral efforts has prompted comments and suggestions from eminent economists and experts on international relations and regional issues. After a fruitful meeting held last week in the Indian capital city of New Delhi, the two countries in a joint statement agreed to reach better understanding on a number of areas of mutual interests.
The significant outcomes from the meeting are India's consent to allow Bangladesh's transit to Nepal and Bhutan, provide at least 100MW power on priority basis, increase trade and communication facilities and resolve other outstanding issues.
One of the key issues of the statement is the Indian proposal for allowing it Ashuganj river port to facilitate transportation of the consignments for the Palatana power project in Tripura.
"I fully support the idea as there will be no harm rather the country will benefit from it," said eminent economist Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed.
The economist advocated for transit facility between India and Bangladesh and believes relations in broader aspect are a necessity to explore mutual benefits.
He strongly disagrees with the argument that providing India with transit facility will raise security concern.
"People need to think positively in a realistic way.
Surrounded by a large land border with India, it does not sound realistic that a simple transit will harm the country's security," said Dr Ahmed.
Former UN-ESCAP director for transport, communication, tourism and infrastructure development Dr M Rahmatullah sees no harm in providing India another call of port facility at Ashuganj river port.
"Already, we are providing India with such facility for four ports in Mongla, Khulna, Narayanganj and Sirajganj. Bangladesh is also getting similar facility from India in Kolkata, Haldia, Karimganj and Pandu (on Brahmaputra river in Assam province) ports," he said.
Dr Rahmatullah, now transport policy adviser for the Transport Sector Management Reform (TSMR) Programme of the Bangladesh Planning Commission, said Ashuganj port will be a one-off facility for India only for the consignment of a power project.
"It will bring Bangladesh some extra tariff and will increase water traffic on the route, which will eventually create some new employment," he said.