Bangladesh not only almost restored the pre-1965 railway connectivity with India that was disrupted by the India-Pakistan war, but is further expanding connectivity with India, Bangladesh's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said on Tuesday.
Addressing a conclave here, the visiting Bangladesh minister said that his government would like to bring substantive changes in terms of connectivity with India.
"We would almost achieve to restore the pre-1965 railway links on priority basis and the connectivity between the two counties are being further expanded," he said, adding that gas pipelines are also being laid between the two countries.
Alam said that Bangladesh has been engaged with India in security cooperation too.
Referring to his discussing with India's DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) Minister G. Kishan Reddy, he said that the Bangladesh government wants to hold a summit with the presence of Chief Ministers and top officials of eight northeastern states in Dhaka to discuss and to finalise some strategies to further boost the trade and economy between his country and the NE region.
Alam was addressing the 3rd India-Japan Intellectual Conclave on the theme of "North East India, Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal in the Indo Pacific: Building Partnerships - The Way Forward".
The railway network of India and Bangladesh are mostly inherited from the British era. After the Partition in 1947, seven rail links were operational between India and the then East Pakistan (up to 1965). At present, there are four operational rail links: Petrapole (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India)-Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh), and Radhikapur (India)-Birol (Bangladesh).
The Haldibari-Chilahati is the fifth such rail route revived while the Agartala (India)-Akhaura (Bangladesh) new railway project is now under construction and, according to the Bangladesh minister, is likely to be completed this year.
Addressing the conclave, Minister of State for External Affairs Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh said that only through Tripura goods worth Rs 650 crore were imported from Bangladesh and various commodities valued at Rs 200 crore exported to the neighbouring country.
Singh said that in the years to come, India-Bangladesh economic partnership would be further strengthened and widened for the mutual benefit of the two close neighbours.
"The Indian government while further strengthening friendship with Bangladesh stressed on three 'Cs' -- connectivity, commerce and cultural ties. The India government has also undertaken projects to strengthen connectivities between the northeastern region of India and South-East Asian countries."
India's mantra is to ensure security and growth for all, he said.
The Shillong-based "Asian Confluence" think tank is organising the two-day conclave that began on Tuesday.
16 B’desh nationals, five Indians held in Tripura for illegally border crossing
Border Security Force (BSF) and Tripura Police have arrested 16 Bangladesh nationals and five Indians from different places of the state for illegally crossing the India-Bangladesh border, officials said on Thursday.
Ready to deport large number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India: MEA
India on Thursday urged Bangladesh to expedite the nationality verification process to facilitate the deportation of a large number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India who are required to be sent back.
Kiru hydropower corruption case: CBI files charge sheet against Satya Pal Malik
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday filed a charge sheet against former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and five others in the Kiru hydroelectric power project kickbacks case.
Indus Treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan abjures support for cross-border terrorism: MEA
India on Thursday reiterated that any India-Pakistan engagement has to be bilateral, at the same time making it clear once again that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain in abeyance until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably abjures" its support for cross-border terrorism.
From foiling air attacks to crushing terror bases, Agniveers played crucial role in Operation Sindoor
The Agniveers of the Indian Army demonstrated exceptional courage and professionalism during Operation Sindoor, playing a pivotal role in India’s offensive and defensive actions following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Soldier killed, two injured in ongoing gunfight in J&K's Kishtwar
Joint forces, including 2 Para, 11 Rashtriya Rifles, 7 Assam Rifles, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police, started the operation against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists, reportedly three to four in number, in the Singhpora Chatroo area in the morning.
Op Sindoor Outreach: Indian delegation meets UAE leaders, discusses shared resolve to combat terrorism
The all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde on Thursday held meetings with leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi, reiterating India's strong stance against terrorism.
Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, says Japanese Foreign Minister in meeting with Indian delegation
Japan, which shares a 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership' with India on Thursday condemned in the strongest terms the growing threat of terrorism as the country hosted a visiting delegation of Indian Parliamentarians led by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha.