India 'to allow Bangladesh to use its territory'
New Delhi has agreed to Dhaka's proposal to include a provision in the bilateral trade agreement for transporting goods from Bangladesh to Nepal and Bhutan through Indian territory, said a senior commerce ministry official yesterday.
“We have got India's consent regarding our proposal to include in the agreement a provision for transport of goods to a third country through Indian territory,” Manoj Kumar Roy, additional secretary of the commerce ministry, told The Daily Star.
The Indian authorities communicated their position through Bangladesh foreign ministry on Tuesday, he said.
On condition of anonymity, a foreign ministry high-up confirmed this.
The trade agreement between India and Bangladesh, which expired on March 31, will be renewed following negotiations between the two countries.
India had earlier proposed revision of a provision in the agreement, seeking to keep the pact in force unless either party terminates it.
In response to the proposal, Dhaka sought to include a provision that would allow both countries to use each other's waterways, roadways and railways for commerce with a third country.
According to the existing deal, the two nations can use their waterways, roadways and railways for transporting goods within their territories.
Commerce ministry officials said the inclusion of a third country will open up possibilities for Nepal and Bhutan to use Bangladesh's ports and carry goods back through Indian territory.
The existing provision has so far benefited India, as it transports goods from its mainland to north-eastern states through Bangladesh, according to stakeholders.
Bangladesh also proposed inclusion of fees and charges for using each other's roads, railways and waterways, which India has agreed to, Manoj said.
The commerce ministry will place the matter before the cabinet for a go-ahead. Initiatives will be taken to ink the agreement once the cabinet approves it, he said.
An Indian High Commission official said both the countries are in discussions for extension of the agreement.
Negotiations are going on, said the official seeking anonymity.
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