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Foreign ministers of Bangladesh and India have shared a common vision of connecting South and Southeast Asia through regional projects of water, rail and roadways, as well as sharing of energy, tourism and telecommunication networks.
Regional integration and cooperation are more important than ever, given the challenges of climate change and post-Covid scenarios where supply chains were affected – leaving the lives and livelihoods in jeopardy.
Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made these remarks at the inaugural programme of the two-day international river conference titled, “NADI Conclave” in Guwahati, Assam today (May 28, 2022).
Shillong-based think tank Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Union External Affairs Ministry, Act East Policy Affairs Department of the Assam government, North Eastern Council organised the Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence (NADI) conference.
Stating that Bengal was in the height of its richness when the regional rivers were connected and the traders could easily sail through the rivers, Momen said over time, many of these connections were suspended but several are in the process of revival.
He mentioned that over the years, Bangladesh and India have reestablished river, road and railway networks that are also connecting northeastern India to the rest of the country.
Bangladesh, located between South and Southeast Asia, is eager to be the bridge between the two regions including Myanmar and Thailand, and landlocked Nepal and Bhutan, for easing trade, he said. River routes are more important because those are cost effective and environment-friendly.
