Assam, Meghalaya people could use Sylhet airport

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the initiatives on regional cooperation like BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) and BCIM-EC (Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar Economic Corridor) will generate greater economic activities among neighbouring countries, accelerating their development.

Sheikh Hasina came up with the view when visiting Indian Air Chief Marshall Arup Raha met her at her office. Lily Raha, wife of Arup Raha, was also present.

Ihsanul Karim, press secretary of Prime Minister's Office, briefed reporters after the meeting.

"Once the sub-regional cooperation initiatives like the BBIN and BCIM-EC start functioning, these will create opportunities to generate more economic activities among the countries," said the prime minister.

Hasina said Syedpur Airport would be turned into a regional airport for airlifting cargos to the neighbouring countries.

She laid emphasis on increasing the number of border haats along the Bangladesh-India border, and said the residents of Assam and Meghalaya states could avail themselves of flights to and from London from Sylhet Osmani International Airport.

Terming his visit to Bangladesh significant, the Indian Air Chief said the bilateral relations have reached a new height, adding that the military-to-military cooperation between the two countries has also increased.

Raha said India and Bangladesh could work together on disaster management sectors and mentioned that a lot of visits are taking place at military training level between the two neighbours.

The Indian Air Chief said they are very happy that the Indian war veterans were honoured by Bangladesh for their participation in the Bangladesh Liberation War while the Bangladeshi war veterans would also be honoured in India.

He also said India could contribute with artefacts of war to the Liberation War Museum of Bangladesh.

PM's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi and Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla were present at the meeting.