Bangladesh ideal hub of regional connectivity: USA

The United States has said Bangladesh enjoys advantageous geography that makes it an "ideal hub" for connectivity and will continue to promote pan-Asian connectivity for cooperation with the countries in the region.

“Even closer to Kolkata, Bangladesh...is sometimes overlooked in the discussion about regional connectivity but it shouldn't be,” a senior official of the US State Department told the “Building Pan-Asian Connectivity Conference” in Kolkata Tuesday.

Bangladesh is rich in natural resources and strategically situated at the intersection of China, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean, said Neil Kromash, deputy director, Office of South Asian Regional Affairs.

About importance of emerging regional organisations, he said the US believed Bimstec was well situated to advance important regional objectives such as transit and trade.

On maritime sphere, he said, “We see the Indian Ocean Rim Association, or IORA, as a promising forum to address shared interests such as: freedom of navigation, anti-piracy, climate change, fisheries management, and maritime scientific collaboration. “So, promoting pan-Asian connectivity is an issue that has, and will continue to have a strong and enduring US commitment.”

Kromash said the US was also watching the steps between India and Bangladesh to pursue the development of electricity grid connections, as well as other projects to the east such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.