Bangladesh Approves Revised India-Bangladesh Trade Agreement

07 April, Dhaka

Bangladesh cabinet has approved the revised India-Bangladesh trade agreement under which the two neighbours would use each other’s territories for trade with a third country.

The modified deal will enable Bangladesh to use Indian territories for transiting goods to Nepal and Bhutan, while India would be able to send goods to Myanmar through Bangladesh.

Talking to reporters, Cabinet Secretary Musharaf Hossain Bhuiyan said both countries would be able to use each other’s rail, road and waterway networks for transporting the goods for a fee.

He said that fees and charges for transporting goods would be fixed through discussions, and would be the same for both the countries. Under the previous agreement, goods-laden vehicles entering India or Bangladesh were parked at the borders requiring further inland transport.

The deal would be in force for 5 years instead of the existing tenure of 3 years, and can be further amended through mutual agreement.

Calling it a win-win situation, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said the revised deal would be signed either during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka or during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi.