Bangladesh and India share their vision to connect South and Southeast Asia
The foreign ministers of the two countries say
Star digital report
Sat, May 28, 2022 9:30 PM Last updated on: Sat, May 28, 2022 9:45 PM
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar “NADI Conclave” in Guwahati, Assam today (28 May 2022). Photo: Collected
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Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar “NADI Conclave” in Guwahati, Assam today (28 May 2022). Photo: Collected
The foreign ministers of Bangladesh and India shared a common vision to connect South and Southeast Asia through regional water, rail and road projects, as well as network sharing energy, tourism and telecommunications.
Regional integration and cooperation is more important than ever, given the challenges of climate change and post-Covid scenarios where supply chains have been affected, putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
For all the latest news, follow the Daily Star’s Google News channel. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made the remarks during the inaugural program of the two-day international river conference titled “NADI Conclave” in Guwahati, Assam today (28 May 2022 ).
The Shillong-based think tank Asian Confluence in conjunction with the Union Ministry of External Affairs, Act East Political Affairs Department of Assam Government, North East Council organized the Natural Allies Conference in Development and Interdependence (NADI).
Stating that Bengal was at the height of its wealth when regional rivers were connected and traders could easily navigate the rivers, Momen said that over time many of these connections were suspended but several are being relaunched.
He mentioned that over the years, Bangladesh and India have reestablished river, road and rail networks which also connect northeast India with the rest of the country.
Bangladesh, located between South Asia and Southeast Asia, is eager to be the bridge between the two regions, including Myanmar and Thailand, and landlocked Nepal and Bhutan, to facilitate trade. , did he declare. River routes are more important because they are cost effective and environmentally friendly.
He said that Bangladesh and India have 54 cross-border rivers and a common approach to managing rivers and maintaining navigation can greatly help the two countries.
During a meeting with Jaishankar on the sidelines of the conference, Momen also discussed the signing of the Teesta water sharing agreement, which could not be signed despite all the preparations in 2011 due to the last minute opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Dhaka and Delhi are working on the Six Small Rivers Water Sharing Agreement. Momen said having a good method of sharing water from common rivers will be crucial and something that future generations can be proud of.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar said a more connected India to the northeast and a more connected northeast to India’s neighbors would mean a complete transformation of the regional economy.
He spoke about the restoration of six historic rail links with Bangladesh, the overland movement of goods using 28 notified land customs posts and the Maitree Bridge over the Feni River which connects Bangladesh and Tripura.
Jaishankar also said that the complex and intertwined cross-border geography is synergized by agreements on the movement of goods from Indian ports via Chattogram and Mongla ports in Bangladesh, and from there overland to Tripura and other parts. from the northeast.
“What will happen when the northeast, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar intertwine more deeply? Each of them will benefit from more access, opportunities, resources and markets. These efforts will literally bring ASEAN closer to us,” he said. .
“It is certainly within our ability to overcome geography and rewrite near history if only we can put the politics and the economy in place,” he said.
DHAKA REQUESTS DELHI’S HELP FOR ROHINGYAS REPATRIATION
At the event, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said more than a million Rohingyas in Bangladesh could turn to extremism and asked for help from India and other countries in the region. region to repatriate them to Myanmar.
“They have been temporarily housed in Bangladesh for five years and they all want to return to their homeland. As the repatriation has not started yet, they are frustrated and many are getting involved in criminal activities like drugs and human trafficking. human beings, violence and crimes,” he said.
Momen said Bangladesh’s measures to end extremism and terrorism have improved regional security and stability and boosted economic development. He said all should work together to maintain the stability and security of this region by repatriating the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar.