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India, Bangladesh: Agreement on enhancing waterways connectivity
Why is it in news?
- India and Bangladesh signed several milestone agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity for trade and cruise movements.
- Bangladesh agreed to open its Chattogram and Mongla ports for trade with India.
About Agreement
- The two countries have signed an agreement to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India.
- A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been signed for movement of passenger and cruise services.
- In addition to this, an addendum to ‘Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade’ (PIWTT) between India and Bangladesh has been signed for inclusion of Dhubriin India and Pangaonin Bangladesh as new Ports of Call.
- India proposed permitting ‘Third country’ EXIM Trade under Coastal Shipping Agreement.
- The Indian side proposed for extension of the protocol routes from Kolkata upto Silchar in Assam.
- Both sides agreed to declare Badarpur on river Barak (NW 16) as an Extended Port of Call of Karimganj in Assam and Ghorasal of Ashuganj in Bangladesh on reciprocal basis.
- Both the sides have also finalised the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for movement of passengers and cruise vessels on Inland Protocol route and coastal shipping routes.
Significance of the agreement
- These agreements will facilitate easier movement of goods and passengers between the two countries, giving an impetus to trade and tourism.
- The North Eastern states would get connected to directly to the ports of Kolkata and Haldia in India and Mongla in Bangladesh through waterways which would facilitate movement EXIM cargo and would also reduce the logistic costs.
- The reconstruction and opening up of Jangipur navigational lock on river Bhagirathi subject to the provisions of the Treaty between India and Bangladesh on Sharing of Ganga Waters at Farakka,1996.
- This move has the potential to reduce the distance to Assam by more than 450 kms on the protocol routes.
Source
The Hindu