DHAKA: Bangladesh and India are planning to introduce waterway travels for visitors aiming to boost economic and tourism sectors of the two countries.
The governments of the two countries are eager to take every effective step to increase people-to-people contact. India and Bangladesh have for sometime been enjoying excellent relations and it is high time the relationship was taken to the next level.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sources made the development while talking to banglanews.
Both countries can ship goods and products only in maritime under the existing ‘Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade’. Now, they are keen to reach an agreement allowing passenger movement.
According to MOFA sources, an inter-ministerial meeting was held on the matter, proposing a list of five jetties as possible ports including Mongla and Sirajganj. Opinions were also sought from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
When an Indian ship from Guwahati visited Kolkata, India sought permission to carry tourists from Bangladesh. At that time the issue was not finalized as Bangladesh delayed to complete the process, the sources added.
An MOFA higher official told banglanews that as the protocol, signed under the trade agreement of 1972, has not allow the two nations for waterway travel, changes were needed in the agreement.
Meanwhile, timeframe of the existing protocol will end in March, 2015. India has already sent a proposal seeking a separate water-way transport deal with a 10-year timeframe axing it from main trade agreement.
Earlier at a high-level meeting between both countries in February, 2012, India proposed to extend the timeframe of water-transit protocol for five years, which Bangladesh refused.
Bangladesh rather sought a time-extension of the main trade agreement. Later on March, 2013, the timeframe of main agreement had been extended for three years during Indian External Affairs minister Salman Khurshid’s visit to Dhaka.
On December 11, banglanews reported Indian state of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked the officials concerned of her government to contact with Bangladesh Government to develop waterway communication to boost trade.
Earlier on August 27, finance minister AMA Muhith said Bangladesh will sign a deal with India to introduce waterway travel between the countries.
The Cabinet Committee for Tourism Affairs has agreed on it. The treaty will be signed once the prime minister approves it, he told reporters on the day.
Currently, Indian and Bangladesh waterways connect West Bengal and Assam states. Inland Waterways Authority of India and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority are operating vessels on these routes.
BDST: 1423 HRS, DEC 27, 2014
