India, Bangladesh to sign connectivity deals after high-level talks from today

FE Team | Published: October 23, 2018 21:39:00

Greater trade and people's movement will top the agenda of Bangladesh-India secretary-level talks scheduled from today (Oct 24) to Oct 26 in New Delhi, according to a report by The Financial Express of India.
Transportation of goods to and from India's North Eastern region (NER) via Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh will be topping the agenda of discussions between the two sides.
Official sources have confirmed that Dhaka has informed New Delhi that facilities at Chattogram and Mongla ports have the capacity to handle extra loads and in return, New Delhi is expected to allow use of Kolkata and Haldia ports for transportation of Bangladeshi goods including garments and textiles garments to South Asian countries.
Both are also going to ink an agreement to amend the existing protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade for determining a new port of call in both the countries.
A 14-member delegation from Bangladesh to be headed by Secretary Shipping, Abdus Samad is likely to reach Delhi today.
Earlier the delegation was expected to be led by Shipping Minister of Bangladesh Shajahan Khan who was visiting at the invitation of Minister Shipping Nitin Gadkari to sign agreements related to connectivity.
Now, sources have clarified that the official-level discussion will go ahead and that three agreements are expected to be inked at the end of the dialogue.
According to sources, the provisions of the agreement state that the use of the two Bangladeshi ports will be valid for five years and have provisions for further renewal for another five years.
However, either side will have the right to cancel the agreement with a six-month notice period.
Under the proposal Indian goods can be transported through four entry points at Agartala-Akhaura, Tamabil-Dawki, Sheola-Sutarkandi and Srimantapur (Tripura)-Cumilla.
Also, the two neighbours are expected to finalise the standard operating procedure (SPO), which has already been cleared by the Bangladesh Cabinet.
The two sides will negotiate granting permission for passenger travel across the two countries through cruise ships.
A separate SOP will be signed to allow cruise ships to operate across the two countries.
The cruise service to be operated by private parties, which will fix the fares and related charges, has been proposed to allow Indian passengers to travel to Mongla, Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox's Bazaar while passengers from Bangladesh can travel to Kolkata, Visahapatnam and Chennai.