Bangladesh and India have continued to script ‘a relationship of Golden Chapter’ guided by the two leaders – Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi, despite the global crisis due to Covid-19 pandemic.
In the latest development, India on Monday handed over 10 railway locomotives to Bangladesh, reflecting a renewed focus on the “neighbourhood first” policy to bolster economic ties and connectivity within the region.
Indian external affairs minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said this showed that the “ongoing COVID pandemic has not slowed down the pace of our overall cooperation” as it came on the heels of the first cross-border train reaching Bangladesh on Sunday with 50 containers loaded with FMCG cargoes and fabrics.
Last week, the first transshipment of goods (iron and pulses) from Kolkata to India’s North-East took place through Bangladesh’s Chattogram port.
“With this (handing over locomotives), we have been able to fulfill an important commitment made during the visit of PM Sheikh Hasina to India last October,” Jaishankar said at the virtual ceremony with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen and railway ministers of two countries.
“Our two countries continue to script a relationship of ‘Shonali Adhyaya’ (golden chapter), guided by the progressive vision of PM Narendra Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina,” he said, adding that the two neighbours partnership would be “key to building a prosperous and peaceful South Asia”.
“This will be a befitting tribute to the vision of Bangabandhu in this historic Mujib Barsho,” he said.
Dr Momen thanked India for offering those ‘Broad Gauge’ diesel locomotives as a mark of “enduring friendship”.
“This would help bring our two peoples even closer. We are indeed enjoying the best of relations,” he said, acknowledging that over the last few years, India and Bangladesh have “scripted a golden chapter in partnership” under the two leaders – Hasina and Modi.
“They have pledged on the noble vision of inclusive socioeconomic development. Let us deliver on that promise and hope for the best,” he said.
A series of development activities between the countries continued despite the pandemic lockdown. The two countries kept the trade ongoing using the railway services when the road link was closed to prevent the spread of the Covid-19.
“India-Bangladesh relationship is rock solid and is based on shared values, principles and confidence; touching almost every sphere of our lives, including politics, culture, trade, investment, water, energy, power, transportation, logistics, security and much more,” Dr Momen said.
“I am sure we would be able to further lift our relations to new heights in the coming days,” he said.
Connectivity is productivity
India-Bangladesh railway cooperation is a vital element of efforts to promote trade and connectivity. Both sides are working to enhance rail connectivity by developing new projects and restoring old links.
“We believe “connectivity is productivity” and our visionary Prime Minister has been trying to expand our connectivity in roads, rail, river routes and heart to heart with our neighbors,” foreign minister Dr Momen said.
“In fact, robust railway connectivity is an enabler of connectivity, an enabler of economic growth, a platform for uniform development and a catalyst for national integration,” he said.
“Its bulk capacity to traverse long distances with ease and lower unit costs, is further bolstered by safety and dependability.
“In a fast-changing world, swept by unforeseen challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot take a piecemeal view of the contours of connectivity.
“Though it is defined as the seamless mobility of people, goods, capital, technology and ideas across frontiers, connectivity means more than what meets the eye.
“It encompasses a variety of parameters: compatibility, harmonization of standards, customs and immigration, sociocultural norms, environmental concerns, and so on.
“When transport systems are efficient, they yield positive multiplier effects, such as, access to broader market bases, employment generation and rolling-out investments.
“Conversely, a low performing railway system can compound the burden on citizens. Climate-smart, energy efficient, and automated railways is a mainstay of the current development paradigm, which seeks to maximize benefit and optimize resources,” he said.
“The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has put a premium on quality transport infrastructure to facilitate regional connectivity. The pace of the ongoing fast-track projects in this sector in Bangladesh speaks volumes about this policy.”
Dr Momen cited few such projects. Bangladesh and India have a total of 8 railway interchange points, of which 4 are now functioning.
Of those 4 non-operational points, Chilahati-Haldibari route – currently being revamped by the two countries – will establish rail connectivity with Bhutan through India.
Darshana-Khulna-Mongla rail link will provide the shortest path to connect Nepal, Bhutan and North West India. Padma rail link will constitute a vital segment of multimodal regional connectivity.
Bangladesh is also very much part of the UN ESCAP Trans-Asian Railway network, SAARC railway corridors, SASEC railway corridor and BCIM Economic Corridor.
“As we stretch our eyes to capture the bigger picture on this vast canvas, we will pursue the path of shared prosperity through planned and sustainable development of our transport infrastructure – a network that would reach out to the farthest corners of the country, live up to the people’s expectations, and be able to cater to their needs,” he said.
“Connectivity in the region will unpack numerous opportunities for the people of South Asia. No longer do they deserve a substandard living. The resulting benefits of connectivity ought to permeate all strata of the society as fairly as possible. The prospect remains limitless. We are happy that India partners with Bangladesh in this endeavor,” Dr Momen said.
Befitting tribute to the vision of Bangabandhu
The Indian external affairs minister said very few countries in the world share “such fraternal ties as those of ours”.
“Our partnership today stands as a role model in the region for good neighbourly relations.
“Our ever-growing multifaceted cooperation includes tourism, health, education, security, energy, culture and frontier technologies of nuclear science, space & IT, and strong people-to-people links.
“As your close friend and neighbour, we feel happy to witness your transformative growth.
“Bangladesh has seen impressive economic growth rates in the last few years. Its achievements across all socio-economic indicators have set new benchmarks.
“PM Modi while paying tribute to Bangabandhu at the inaugural Mujib Barsho celebration, had admired the dedication of the people and the leadership of Bangladesh in making their nation Sonar Bangla, as envisioned by Bangabandhu,” he said.
Dr Jaishankar said the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed new challenges to the world especially in realising the developmental goals.
“India stands prepared to cooperate with the people of Bangladesh to tide over these difficult times.”
He said the pandemic has also forced us to come up with “innovative solutions” aimed at minimizing disruptions to our supply chain logistics.
“Thanks to our well-timed efforts, the business communities of our two countries have started utilizing freight trains for transporting commodities and raw materials for manufacturing industries.”
“The movement of freight via rail also ensured that the supply of essential commodities continued undisrupted, particularly in the holy month of Ramzan, as trade through land borders faced challenges,” he said.
“I am equally happy to note that the ongoing COVID pandemic has not slowed down the pace of our overall cooperation.
“The signing of the Second Addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade in May 2020, has increased the number of Protocol routes from 8 to 10 and the number of Ports of Call from 6 to 11, besides including two extended Ports of Call.
“The successful completion of the trial run of container cargo from Kolkata to Agartala through Chattogram, is indeed a landmark development as it not only reinvigorates our traditional waterway connections but also brings mutual economic benefits.
“I am also glad to note that parcel and container train services have recently been introduced. These cost-effective, time-efficient and environment-friendly modes of connectivity, be they rail, inland waterways or coastal, will strengthen our supply chains and open up new opportunities for business.
“With exports from Bangladesh to India having crossed the $1 billion mark in 2019 - a remarkable growth of 43% from the previous year, I invite the business community of Bangladesh to further enhance their engagement with India.”
He also said that India remains a “committed development partner of Bangladesh”.
“Our uniquely concessional lines of credit of close to $10 billion are the largest India has extended to any country.
“These projects will help in the infrastructure development of Bangladesh, a prerequisite for its economy to leapfrog to the next level. We need to work together to expedite these ongoing projects.
“As friends in prosperity and growth, we have also faced challenges together. I, therefore, firmly believe that our partnership will be key to building a prosperous and peaceful South Asia. This will be a befitting tribute to the vision of Bangabandhu in this historic Mujib Barsho,” he said.
As the two countries would commemorate 50 years of the liberation of Bangladesh and the establishment of diplomatic ties next year, the external affairs minister said: “May this partnership become truly exemplary and forge stronger bonds of friendship.”
