Finance
Through video conference on Wednesday, PM Modi and his Bangladeshi colleague Sheikh Hasina jointly launched three development projects with Indian assistance in an effort to strengthen their bilateral ties even more. The Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line, and Unit II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, Bangladesh are the three projects under question.
The goal of the electricity and rail sector projects between Bangladesh and India is to deepen bilateral relations and collaborations.
PM Narendra Modi said, “In the last 9 years, our internal trade has tripled… Today the inauguration of the Akhaura-Agartala rail link is a historic moment… This is the first rail link between Bangladesh and the North Eastern states of India… Tripura has had a strong bond with Bangladesh since the days of its Liberation struggle… I am happy that we have inaugurated the second unit of the Maitree Thermal Power Project…”
PM Modi said India has considered the approach of ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ for neighbour country Bangladesh. “We take pride in being the biggest development partner for Bangladesh. In last 9 years, an aid of USD 10 billion has been given. The list of our achievements is very long… We decided to inaugurate the three projects today and had the opportunity to do so. I express gratitude to PM Sheikh Hasina for the success of our joint efforts,” he said.
“The joint inauguration of these important projects manifests the firm friendship and collaboration between our two friendly countries. I would like to thank PM Modi for the warm hospitality during my visit in September 2023 to attend the G20 Summit,” the Bangladesh Prime Minister said.
“I express my gratitude for your commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship between our two countries, Sheikh Hasina said.
Bangladesh has executed the Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link project using a Government of India grant assistance of Rs 392.52 crore. The length of the rail link is 12.24 km with a 6.78 km Dual Gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura.
The Government of India is implementing the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project, which has a total project cost of USD 388.92 million, under a concessional Line of Credit. The project calls for building a broad gauge rail line spanning around 65 km from Mongla Port to Khulna’s current rail system. This allows Mongla, Bangladesh’s second-biggest port, to be connected to the broad-gauge railway system.
India’s NTPC Ltd and Bangladesh Power Development Board, through their 50:50 Joint Venture company, the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited, have implemented the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project. This project, a 1320 MW super thermal power plant situated in Rampal, Khulna Division, Bangladesh, has received funding through a 1.6 billion US dollar loan under the Indian Concessional Financing Scheme. These projects will strengthen connectivity and energy security in the region.
During the inauguration ceremony, Sheikh Hasina also extended greetings to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India in advance of Diwali.
“I would conclude her by conveying warm greetings in advance for the upcoming Diwali. I wish Your Excellency PM Modi and the people of India a very Happy Diwali,” the Bangladesh Prime Minister said.
The Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue has been a vital forum for enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries during the past ten years. “Fostering a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership” is this year’s Dialogue theme, according to BNN News.
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Government of India has borne the cost of approximately Rs 285 crore for building the Bangladesh portion of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline. The cross-border energy pipeline was built at an estimated total cost of Rs 377 crore. This March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh officially opened the pipeline.
Source:In
