Boosting robust ties; India, Bangladesh connectivity is a game changer with a win-win situation for both nations

Dhaka, November 13: Not just demographically close, India and Bangladesh have shared deep rooted historical ties that has enhanced the base of a strong relation between the two neighbouring nations. Giving a boost to this ever-increasing robust tie, the connectivity between India and Bangladesh has come out to be a game changer and a win-win situation for both the countries.

Speaking at the Global Dhaka Dialogue on the second day of the event on Tuesday India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said that 80 percent of the 8-billion-dollar Line of Credit given by India to Bangladesh is earmarked for connectivity linked projects. She said that projects in road, railways, inland waterways and ports between the two countries create a win win situation for both the countries. She also talked about the digital connectivity as an exciting area for connectivity in the future.

 

Speaking further on the issue of the Indo-Pacific region Riva Ganguly Das said that India believes in an inclusive Indo-Pacific which is safe, secure and stable. She said India believes in freedom of navigation and respect for sovereignty of all in the region. Former Information & Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said that the 21st century is the Asian Century and South Asia is its economic driver.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Md. Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh believes the Indo-Pacific strategy and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are not conflicting but complementary to each. Prof. Minwang Lin of Fudan University said that for China the focus is on Asia especially East Asian countries. Challenging the concept of the Indo-Pacific he said it is an artificial concept with no firm basis in geography. The Dhaka Global Dialogue will conclude on Wednesday.