India Takes To Connectivity Diplomacy, Brings Northeast Closer To Sea 

India has given a boost to northeast’s infrastructure via its “connectivity diplomacy” via an agreement with Bangladesh for access to the latter’s ports for movement of goods.

As reported by DNA, the Bangladesh cabinet on Monday (17 September) approved an agreement in principle to give India access to its Chittagong and Mongla ports for movement of goods.

This decision is said to be very beneficial for India’s northeast states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram giving them an alternate mode of connectivity. The goods in question though would only be carried by Bangladeshi vehicles and ships.

Under the agreement, four routes have been laid out namely, “Chittagong-Mongla Port to Agartala via Akhaura, Chattogram-Mongla to Daouki via Tamabil, Chattogram-Mongla to Sutarkandi via Sheola and Chattogram-Mongla to Bibek Bazar via Srimantapur”.

The benefit via this agreement can be gauged via the fact that it takes about 34 hours to reach the Kolkata from Agartala. That time would now be slashed by 70 per cent.

This agreement is valid for the next five years and can be renewed based on mutual agreement. Either country is empowered to cancel it provided a five-month notice period is given.