Indo-Bangladesh Connectivity and Economic Partnership :

Recently, the first-ever container cargo from Kolkata via Bangladesh’s Chattogram port has reached Agartala which has proved to be a “historic milestone” in the Indo-Bangladesh connectivity and economic partnership.
India and Bangladesh have enhanced cooperation in shipping and inland water trade in the recent years.
Under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, in addition to the six existing Ports of Call, five more in each country have also been added.

In the last 6-7 years, the Indo-Bangladesh relationship has been dynamic as well as active cooperation is seen in resolving the various irritants which were hindering points for both the countries relations.
Eg: Land-boundary agreement, maritime boundary issue etc.
The recent transit and trade protocol is the milestone for further strengthening the relations especially in terms of improving the connectivity between India’s North-eastern states and Bangladesh via ports which in turn will result in reducing the logistic cost.
Eg: Chittagong port, Mongla port etc.
In 2019, various projects were implemented in Bangladesh like Dhaka-Agartala-Kolkata bus service, PAR project by Reliance, transfer of electricity to Dhaka via N-E grid etc.
Thus, the relationship has enormously improved in the corporate sector, trade and in terms people to people contact.

In terms of connectivity, India has been vulnerable as seen from various recent issues and at this point, such a move might help to generate confidence in other countries towards India.
India’s North-eastern part and Bangladesh has geographic connectivity which inturn will help to achieve regional growth as well as economic growth.
The bureaucratic and leadership arrangements in both the countries have positive co-ordination which may help to envision the future for Indo-Bangladesh relations.

It will provide a great boost to the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) initiative as well as for the BIMSTEC.
It may also directly benefit Nepal and Bhutan because there is a possibility that Motor Vehicle agreement may come into force from which Bhutan has withdrawn and both the countries may develop its relations in various other sectors other than power sector.
The environmental as well as regional impact will be tremendous as the trade will take place via river route and there will be access to new markets.
Thus, relations can be made strong and sustainable by taking it to regional level because Bangladesh imports power from Nepal and Bhutan via India.
Further, if Myanmar comes into picture then it may bring a phenomenal change in the economy because there will be an opportunity to access South-East Asia.
Hence, it may become more stable when the benefits are reaching to the consumer or people of the countries.

- The political irritants should be kept on minor-footnote and both the nations should focus on the developmental aspirations to reach higher economies of scale.
- The strategic engagement should be kept at foresight.
- Both the countries should expedite on ongoing projects.
Promote Bangladesh for Indian Tourists.

The relations between both the countries are overall at a positive note and are improving day-by-day by underscoring the differences and going for further engagement which shows the way towards global economic prosperity.

Today Current Affairs Upsc Exam Syllabus & Previous Yearpaper.