China - Bangladesh unite for Padma Bridge? Dhaka asserts accusations of Chinese involvement

Dhaka, Jun 18: Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (Jun 17) clarified that the Padma Bridge, which is scheduled to open on Jun 25, is not part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and also said that no foreign funds were taken to complete the multipurpose project.

 

 

 

 

According to the recent statement of Bangladesh MoFA regarding the Padma Bridge and Chinese involvement in its construction, "Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically asserts that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been entirely funded by the govt of Bangladesh and no foreign funds from any bilateral or multilateral funding agency have financially contributed to its construction." Bangladesh MoFA issued the press statement after some quarters tried to portray that the Padma Multipurpose Project has been constructed under the Chinese BRI and foreign funds.

 

 

 

 

 

The accusations are not being made out of blue and are followed after the Bangladesh - China Silk Road Forum and the Embassy of China at Dhaka invited the media according to the reports of ANI, for an event titled, "The Padma Bridge: An example Bangladesh - China cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative" that has been organized on Jun 22.

 

Completion of the ambitious project of Padma Bridge will fulfil Bangladesh's dream of connecting the 19 south - western districts with the rest of the country, resulting in collective prosperity, socio economic development of the country as well as enhanced regional connectivity. In the statement, the ministry also mentioned that Dhaka hopes all its friends will join hands in celebrating the completion of this landmark project which is all the more special since it has been done entirely by the contribution of the poeple and the govt.