The recent visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina no doubt facilitated Tripura to get the lion’s share of agreements but nevertheless rest of NE region is also winner. Tripura is to get the benefit of 14 km meter gauge rail link, Ashuganj port, Inland water Transit & Trade and the rail link between Akhaura & Agartala. But otherwise the Meghalaya Chief Minister also could portrait his views strongly to boost ties between Dhaka & Shillong in many fronts including trade & commerce.
But most importantly the Meghalayan Chief Minister D D Lapang could persuade Hasina Madam for most hyped border haats. On top of this, the Bangladeshi premier also agreed to not to let Bangladesh soil used for terrorism activities against India. Apart from Tripura & Meghalaya, the Chief Ministers of Assam & Mizoram also putforth their points crystal clear infront of the premier. The fruitful discussions on the movement of cargo-carrying containers by rail & water through Bangladesh to India’s north-east & facilitation of Bangladesh’s connectivity with Nepal & Bhutan through the Indian territory are the testimony of the seriousness of these four state’s Chief Ministers.
The duty-free access to more Bangladeshi products, removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, providing 100 MW power & grid connectivity to Bangladesh and India’s assurance of building the railway link, re-opening of Sabroom-Ramgarh trade point, upgrading the standard & testing Institutes of Bangladesh are the major gains for Bangladesh. Apart from this, the financial aid in the tune of $500 million to Bangladesh is another milestone in Indo-Bangla relationship.
Though Ex-premier of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia warned Hasina to be cautious in deals with India, the daughter of ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Muzibur- Rehman proved that she is really a friend of India in real terms of ‘Love thy neighbour’. As we know that we cannot change our neighbours then what is harm in living in peace, tranquility, equality & prosperity in equal terms with the neighbour.