Boost in bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh

The India-Bangladesh relations are likely to see a new phase in its bilateral relationship with revival of their pre-partition mode of connectivity through riverine transportation. Recently the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has permitted ferrying of goods vessels by waterway between the Sonamura port in Tripura and Daudkandi under Cumilla in the neighbouring nation.

It was approved on May 20 this year and included in the second addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade between India and Bangladesh. Inland vessels of bothe the countries can move on the designated protocol route and dock at ports of Call in each country, for unloading or loading of cargo under this protocol.

This will greatly facilitate the bilateral trade, with cost-effectiveness for the business community and improved reliability among the people of both the countries. The business fraternity of both the countries have welcomed the move between the nations toward improving connectivity with neighbors and hope very soon Bangladesh would bring relaxation in its policy towards investing in its neighboring nation like India and which shall strengthen the bilateral relation.

The 93 kilometer length of the Sonamura-Daudkandi route through the stretch of the Gumati river is Tripura’s first protocol route. Already the Tripura government with the help of the Ministry of Shipping has set up a temporary jetty at Sonamura, which is very close to the border.   

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