Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb Raises Northeast Issues with Bangladesh PM

Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the national capital and discussed about connectivity and trade between the northeastern States and the neighbouring country.

Deb, who attended an official dinner hosted by the Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi on Thursday, returned to Agartala on Friday.

“Had fruitful interaction with her (Sheikh Hasina) regarding various issues related to Indo-Bangladesh relations. Since Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh, various bilateral issues related to Tripura and Bangladesh were also discussed,” Deb said in a tweet.

He added: “Most importantly, after my request Madam Hasina also showed interest for an international flight from Dhaka to Agartala. Both Madam Hasina and our PM Narendra Modi Ji share a good bond.”

An official at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat told IANS that during the 90-minute long dinner meeting, Deb apprised Hasina about the ongoing water, surface and air connectivity issues, besides the huge scope of increasing trade and economic activities between the northeastern states and Bangladesh. “The Bangladesh PM positively responded about air connectivity between Agartala and Dhaka and assured that she would soon take a quick step in this regard. Both the leaders also discussed plying of vehicles between Bangladesh and the northeastern States.”

Sheikh Hasina told the Chief Minister that vehicle operation issues are likely to come up in the upcoming treaties to be signed between the two countries," the official said.

“She also informed the Chief Minister that in consultation with the Indian government, the proposed Sonamura (Tripura)-Daudkandi (Bangladesh) waterway would be declared a notified waterway as part of the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route,” he added.

Biplab Kumar Deb told the media here that targeting Bangladeshi investors and industrialists, the Indian government would set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tripura's border town of Sabroom, which is 70 km away from the Chittagong sea port in Bangladesh.

“The Department of Commerce under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Friday gave approval in-principal for setting up the SEZ in Sabroom at a cost of Rs 147 crore,” Deb said in a tweet.

“The proposed SEZ would be a game changer for Tripura’s economic growth and the entire Northeast would be benefited. Deb said, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. (IANS)

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