Chittagong Port offered to India for overseas Trade: Beginning of strong bilateral relations

India is set to get benefit accessing Chittagong port, which is strategically important point in Bangladesh. Presently, the port results more than 70 percent of Bangladesh’s imports and exports. The deal was made after Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar visited Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in April.

PM Sheikh Hasina emphasized on the importance of the connection between the two neighboring countries. Accessing the country's main Chittagong Port, will open up India’s inland north-eastern states like Assam and Tripura.

Jaishankar, who arrived in Dhaka on a short official visit, was greeted by Foreign Minister at Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu. He invited Hasina to visit New Delhi on behalf of India Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi. This development will not only allow the beginning of strong relationship between the two countries in the future but also will allow overseas trade to flourish.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Hasina said that the two countries need further improved connectivity and promote bulk movement of goods. She told Jaishankar that using the port of Chittagong in the southeast of Bangladesh would be of particular benefit to the north-eastern region of India and will provide job opportunities.

Many other bilateral and international issues were discussed in the official meeting, besides the port. Both of them expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation between Bangladesh and India and promised to further strengthen bilateral relations. They also emphasized regional stability for overall socio-economic development between the two countries.

Chittagong’s unique location will open up new doors to sea routes while promoting overseas trade. It will also allow the use of road transport from India to Bangladesh, thus allowing the development of roadways. The major cities on the Eastern side of India will look upon Chittagong’s port for their import and export across the south Asian countries. More so, most of the shipping companies will also find it easier to invest and allow inland cargo transport facilities.

Chittagong’s nearness to Myanmar will also allow India to promote trade with neighboring countries like Thailand and Myanmar. It will help to form new industrial towns in the remote areas of Bangladesh. Hence, India will find new ways to develop and tighten diplomatic relations near the borders.

With respect to the growing business of India with Myanmar, Bangladesh will also be able to get a slice of the profit pie. The Chittagong port’s location is ideal for imports and exports along with the South Asian countries through the seaways. Besides, the diplomatic ties between Dhaka and Washington are also going to be affected in a good way by the deal. Bangladesh is vying to get back on the good books of Washington, after their RAB failure, with allegations of nailing the opposition leaders. Through the office in India, the Chittagong port deal will be key to that development.

Bangladesh has paved new job opportunities and employment in Dhaka, Chittagong and other cities. India’s connection with Chittagong port will be beneficial for both in this development. The management of the refreshed port activity will require the proper utilization of human resources on Bangladesh. With the increase in trade activity and fast transportation, definitely there will be an increase in the overall development of India's north-eastern states along with Bangladesh.