Sheikh Hasina offered Chittagong port to India

Tags: International Relations Popular National News

In a major development in India-Bangladesh ties, India has now gained significant access to the Chittagong port after it was offered to India by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

About Chittagong Port

• The Chittagong Port is the major seaport of Bangladesh.

• It is situated in the port city of Chittagong and on the banks of river Karnaphuli.

• Due to the sea port's proximity to the North-East Indian states, it has the potential to boost economic activity in the North-East Indian states, providing access to global shipping lanes.

• In the year 2010, India and Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to allow the use of Chittagong and Mongla ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India.

• In 2018, the Bangladesh cabinet approved a proposed agreement with New Delhi to allow the use of the two ports for the transport of goods.

• The port handles eighty percent of Bangladesh's export-import trade, and is used for transshipment by  Bhutan, Nepal and India.

• Chittagong port is being developed and modernised with Chinese investment.

• Benefits for India 

• An additional connectivity route which is economical and environment friendly.

• States like Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura get access to a port for transportation of goods. 

• Promote multi-modal connectivity between India and Bangladesh.

• Important route for India to reach Southeast Asia, East Asia and beyond.