Bangladesh, India share visions of connecting South, Southeast Asia | The Daily Star
Skip to main content
E-paper বাংলা
T
Latest
Dollar crisis puts textile millers in a tight spot ‘Biggest militant threat’ country has ever faced IMF approves $4.5b loan for Bangladesh Bangabandhu Railway Bridge: Minister optimistic, challenges aplenty Much left to be desired in the new school curriculum People voted for AL as it worked for them: PM Join next nat’l election to prove strength Anti-graft drive stopped at a stage: Menon What Nasa satellites say about Bangladesh’s climate SIBL’s chairman, AMD resign 11 dead in Syria drone strikes on pro-Iran groups Mash’s Sylhet make BPL playoffs on home turf CU VC office vandalised for not recruiting BCL leader as teacher Fraud cannot be obfuscated by nationalism Readable autopsy report: HC wants to know the progress
The Daily Star
Journalism Without Fear or Favour
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
  • E-paper
  • বাংলা
Latest
Dollar crisis puts textile millers in a tight spot ‘Biggest militant threat’ country has ever faced IMF approves $4.5b loan for Bangladesh Bangabandhu Railway Bridge: Minister optimistic, challenges aplenty Much left to be desired in the new school curriculum People voted for AL as it worked for them: PM Join next nat’l election to prove strength Anti-graft drive stopped at a stage: Menon What Nasa satellites say about Bangladesh’s climate SIBL’s chairman, AMD resign 11 dead in Syria drone strikes on pro-Iran groups Mash’s Sylhet make BPL playoffs on home turf CU VC office vandalised for not recruiting BCL leader as teacher Fraud cannot be obfuscated by nationalism Readable autopsy report: HC wants to know the progress
The Daily Star
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Journalism Without Fear or Favour
  • Home
  • News
    • Bangladesh
    • Asia
    • World
  • Opinion
    • Views
    • Editorial
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Health
    • Diseases
    • Healthcare
    • Food
  • Sports
    • Cricket
    • Football
    • More Sports
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Global Economy
    • Organisation News
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Film
    • Music
    • Theatre & Arts
  • Culture
    • Art & Design
    • Books
  • Life & Living
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Food & Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
  • Youth
    • Education
    • Careers
    • Young Icons
  • Tech & Startup
    • Science, Gadgets, and Tech
    • Startups
    • Automobiles
  • Feature
    • Lifestyle
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Showbiz
    • Star Health
    • Satireday
    • Shout
    • Toggle
    • Star Literature
    • In Focus
    • Star Youth
    • Law & Our Rights
    • Daily Star Books
    • Roundtables
    • Supplements
  • Environment
    • Climate crisis
    • Natural resources
    • Pollution
  • NRB
বাংলা T
  • Home
  • News
    • Bangladesh
    • Asia
    • World
  • Opinion
    • Views
    • Editorial
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Health
    • Diseases
    • Healthcare
    • Food
  • Sports
    • Cricket
    • Football
    • More Sports
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Global Economy
    • Organisation News
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Film
    • Music
    • Theatre & Arts
  • Culture
    • Art & Design
    • Books
  • Life & Living
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Food & Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
  • Youth
    • Education
    • Careers
    • Young Icons
  • Tech & Startup
    • Science, Gadgets, and Tech
    • Startups
    • Automobiles
  • Feature
    • Lifestyle
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Showbiz
    • Star Health
    • Satireday
    • Shout
    • Toggle
    • Star Literature
    • In Focus
    • Star Youth
    • Law & Our Rights
    • Daily Star Books
    • Roundtables
    • Supplements
  • Environment
    • Climate crisis
    • Natural resources
    • Pollution
  • NRB

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Apps
  • Comment Policy
  • RSS
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Conference Hall
  • Archives
South Asia

Bangladesh, India share visions of connecting South, Southeast Asia

Foreign ministers of the two countries say
Star Digital Report
Sat May 28, 2022 09:30 PM Last update on: Sat May 28, 2022 09:45 PM
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar “NADI Conclave” in Guwahati, Assam today (May 28, 2022). Photo: Collected

Foreign ministers of Bangladesh and India have shared a common vision of connecting South and Southeast Asia through regional projects of water, rail and roadways, as well as sharing of energy, tourism and telecommunication networks.

Regional integration and cooperation are more important than ever, given the challenges of climate change and post-Covid scenarios where supply chains were affected – leaving the lives and livelihoods in jeopardy.

For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made these remarks at the inaugural programme of the two-day international river conference titled, "NADI Conclave" in Guwahati, Assam today (May 28, 2022).

Shillong-based think tank Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Union External Affairs Ministry, Act East Policy Affairs Department of the Assam government, North Eastern Council organised the Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence (NADI) conference.

Stating that Bengal was in the height of its richness when the regional rivers were connected and the traders could easily sail through the rivers, Momen said over time, many of these connections were suspended but several are in the process of revival.

He mentioned that over the years, Bangladesh and India have reestablished river, road and railway networks that are also connecting northeastern India to the rest of the country.

Bangladesh, located between South and Southeast Asia, is eager to be the bridge between the two regions including Myanmar and Thailand, and landlocked Nepal and Bhutan, for easing trade, he said. River routes are more important because those are cost effective and environment-friendly.

He said Bangladesh and India have 54 transboundary rivers and common approach of managing the rivers and keeping navigation right can greatly help both the countries.

During a meeting with Jaishankar on the sideline of the conference, Momen also spoke of signing the Teesta Water-sharing Agreement, which could not be signed despite all preparations in 2011 due to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's last-minute opposition.

Dhaka and Delhi are working on the deal of water-sharing of six small rivers. Momen said having a right method of water-sharing of the common rivers will be crucial and something that the future generations can be proud of.

Meanwhile, Jaishankar said an India that is more connected to the northeast and the northeast that is more connected to India's neighbours will mean a complete transformation of the regional economy.

He spoke of the restoration of six historical rail links with Bangladesh, overland movement of goods using 28 notified Land Customs Stations, and the Maitree Bridge over Feni river that connects Bangladesh and Tripura.

Jaishankar also said that the intricate and intertwined cross-border geography is being synergised by agreements on movement of goods from Indian ports through Chattogram and Mongla ports in Bangladesh, and from there overland to Tripura and other parts of the northeast.

"What happens when the northeast, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar get more deeply intertwined? Each of them stands to benefit from more access, opportunities, resources, and markets. These endeavours will literally bring the ASEAN closer to us," he said.

"It is definitely within our ability to overcome geography and rewrite near history if only we can get the policies and the economics right," he said.

DHAKA SEEKS DELHI'S HELP IN ROHINGYA REPATRIATION

At the event, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said more than a million Rohingyas in Bangladesh could turn to extremism and sought help from India and other countries in the region to repatriate them to Myanmar.

"They are temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh for the last five years and they all want to go back to their motherland. Since repatriation has not been started yet, they are getting frustrated and many are getting involved in criminal activities like drugs and human trafficking, violence and crimes," he said.

Momen said that Bangladesh's steps to end extremism and terrorism have improved security and stability of the region and enhanced economic development. He said all should work together to maintain stability and security of this region by repatriating the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar.

Related topic
Bangladesh / india / visions of connecting South, Southeast Asia / regional projects / Water / Rail / roadways / Energy / tourism / telecommunication networks.
Apple Google
Click to comment

Comments

Comments Policy

Related News

1w ago| SHOUT

The "good for her" cinematic universe: gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss

Concerted efforts necessary to address the climate crisis
6d ago| Views

Is global governance failing to deliver climate commitments?

Sports

'Pocket Hercules' dies at 104

Science, Gadgets, and Tech

First photos of water on Pluto puzzling scientists

Science, Gadgets, and Tech

Scientist engineers bacterium that produces energy

The Daily Star  | বাংলা
৮ ঘণ্টা আগে|অর্থনীতি

৪.৫ বিলিয়ন ডলার ঋণ অনুমোদন দিলো আইএমএফ

বাংলাদেশকে সাড়ে ৪ বিলিয়ন ডলার ঋণ প্রদানের বিষয়টি আন্তর্জাতিক মুদ্রা তহবিলের (আইএমএফ) বোর্ড সভায় অনুমোদন পেয়েছে।

১১ ঘণ্টা আগে|স্টার মাল্টিমিডিয়া

দলীয় সমাবেশের জন্যে ট্রেন ভাড়া যে নজির তৈরি করল

The Daily Star
Follow Us
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Apps
  • Comment Policy
  • RSS
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Conference Hall
  • Archives
© 2023 thedailystar.net | Powered by: RSI LAB
Copyright: Any unauthorized use or reproduction of The Daily Star content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.