Secretary shipping level talks between India and Bangladesh were held in New Delhi last week.
The Indian delegation was led by Shri Rajive Kumar from the Ministry of Shipping, and Bangladesh delegation was led by Mr. Shafique Alam Mehdi, Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping.
The two parties appreciated close cooperation and achievements made so far, expressing hope that the MoUs and Agreement signed will result into enhanced movement of vessels and cargo between India and Bangladesh smoothly.
At the meeting Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on passenger and cruise vessel movement was signed. Also, Bangladesh side informed that rates for the movement of goods to and from North-Eastern part of India have been approved by the government.
To ensure adequate draft in upper reaches of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route in Bangladesh, it was agreed that Bangladesh will submit a proposal for dredging of rivers in Bangladesh, including the ones under Protocol route, to World Bank for Regional IDA under intimation to the Indian side to enable the Indian side to examine and support the proposal taking a long term perspective under PIWTT.
It was also suggested by Indian side that as the submission of proposal to World Bank under IDA and its eventual execution may take some time, the existing Joint Technical Committee (JTC), as an interim measure, may identify and prioritize the route requiring dredging to achieve 2.5 meter LAD throughout the year and propose a suitable funding option within three month time.
It was agreed that on receipt of this proposal, the funding, sharing and implementing mechanism can be discussed and decided.