DHAKA: After three years’ diplomatic and strategic parleys, neighboring India started the transshipment process via Bangladesh.

On Thursday, for the very first time, India took rice from Andhra Pradesh to Tripura via Bangladesh, the Indiatimes reported on Friday.

It said that three Bangladeshi trucks loaded with rice entered India through the Akhaura integrated check post Thursday afternoon in the presence of their Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Tripura government officials, FCI general manager Bidol Tayeng confirmed.

The usual practice was to shift contents from Bangladeshi trucks to Indian trucks before entering Indian territory, report added.

Tayeng also informed the media that their external affairs ministry had earlier given clearances to allow Bangladeshi trucks 7 km inside Indian territory from Akhaura border.

"The trucks carrying rice will be going through truck scanners installed at the Akhaura check post," he said.

The Tripura government made arrangements such as medical facilities, rest house and food for Bangladeshi truck drivers at the Nandannagar FCI depot, Tayeng added.

He, however, added that around 20 trucks each carrying 17 tonnes of rice are expected to arrive in Agartala everyday from Ashuganj port for the next 12 to 13 days started from Thursday.

Tripura Food, Civil Supplies Minister Bhanulal Saha said "The rice is being ferried via Bangladesh to avoid the long and mountainous surface road up to Tripura via Assam and Meghalaya."

Another 5,000 tonnes of rice will be similarly ferried to Tripura in the next phase, he added.

BDST: 1557 HRS, AUG 09, 2014