Greater connectivity sought

Speakers at a programme yesterday stressed the importance of increased connectivity among the South Asian countries through implementing Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Initiative.

The inaugural programme of COSATT Regional Conference on “Importance of BRI and BBIN for South Asia” was organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

Kamrul Ahsan, secretary (bilateral and consular) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said regional connectivity has much importance for Bangladesh. “In the changing world, which is brought closer through various modes of connectivity, Bangladesh also seeks to connect with the region and the rest of the world through transportation network and other connectivity initiatives.”

The secretary spoke as the chief guest on behalf of Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

He said there has been visible improvement of bilateral connectivity between Bangladesh and India in the recent time. “This connectivity can be utilised by other countries beyond India such as Bhutan and Nepal,” he added.

Bangladesh is actively participating in many bilateral regional and sub-regional connectivity activities like BRI and BBN, he said.

BIISS Director General Maj Gen AKM Abdur Rahman in his welcome speech said connectivity is a must among the South Asian countries in order to proceed further.

Dr Nishchal N Pandey, director of Centre for South Asian Studies in Nepal, said, “BRI and BBIN are projects of great significance. Both of them promised a great deal in terms of infrastructural development and connectivity, trade, transit, tourism and energy cooperation.”

“There are challenges but the promises these two project hold are of greater value,” he added.

Urging the countries of the region to come closer and build greater cooperation, Dr Nishchal said, smaller countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka can be directly benefited by the connectivity projects.

The inaugural session of the two-day conference was chaired by BIISS Chairman Munshi Faiz Ahmad.

Consortium of South Asian Think-Tanks (COSATT) arranged the conference.