Multimodal connectivity between India and Bangladesh is the need of the hour to unlock the true potential of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh has reportedly observed.
High Commissioner Pranay Verma was speaking on Monday after Bangladesh's Shipping Minister Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury inaugurated the port of Sultanganj, establishing a maritime link between Rajshahi in Bangladesh and Murshidabad in India.
“The future of our partnership lies in efficient multimodal connectivity, encompassing road and rail, inland waterways, and coastal shipping,” the reports quoted him as saying.
The Indian official said the reopening of the Maia-Sultanganj river route was a step in the right direction that would benefit both countries.
He also noted that India is Bangladesh's largest export destination in Asia and the better connectivity and new measures like trading in Indian rupee will further boost Bangladesh's exports to India.
"With our contiguous geography and shared history and culture, we are actually reconnecting our two countries," he added.