Tripura CM urges Modi to bolster Indo-Bangla ties

Chief Minister of Indian state of Tripura, Manik Sarkar, during his maiden meeting with Prime Minister Narenda Modi in New Delhi on Friday stressed the need for further improvement of relations with neighbours, especially Bangladesh, for economic development of the northeast region, reports bdnews24.com.
Sarkar demanded restoration of connectivity as was prevailing between the then India and East Pakistan (that was later liberated as Bangladesh) and suggested that India, if necessary, should help develop infrastructure in Bangladesh.
"For achieving rapid economic development in Tripura, the facility of movement of people and goods through Bangladesh to Eastern India is a necessity. Prior to partition, Tripura was seamlessly connected to rest of India through Bangladesh, by road, rail and waterways, which need to be restored and made operational," said Mr Sarkar.
"There is an urgent need for transit and trans-shipment facility including road, rail and waterways connection through Bangladesh to Eastern India as well as access to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh.
"Government of India may persuade Bangladesh government for allowing multi model transportation of goods through Bangladesh with Ashuganj as the Port of Call, including related infrastructure development."
According to the Tripura chief minister, the economies of most of the north-eastern states of India are already linked to those of the neighbouring countries, and the region will stand to gain immensely if these relations are further strengthened.