Bangladesh and India have agreed to sign four important deals; one of which would permit Delhi to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports to transport goods to different Indian states.
The final agreements are likely to be inked during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India on December 18, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan told The New Nation Wednesday night.
Earlier in the day, the drafts of the agreements were finalised in the Shipping Secretary level meetings of two neighbouring countries held at the Secretariat. Inaugurated by Cabinet Secretary Md Shafiul Alam, a technical committee was also formed in the meeting.
In the meeting, detail matters on four agreements were discussed where Shipping Secretary Ashok Madhab Roy led the Bangladesh team and Indian Shipping Secretary Rajiv Kumar led a nine-member team of his country.
The meeting especially discussed about use of Chittagong Port and Mongla Port, construction of multipurpose container terminal in Payra Port, Light Houses and Light Ships, passenger and cruise service matters in coastal and protocol routes, officials said.
Besides, the issue of Payra Port was also discussed in the meeting apparently to reach an agreement. The construction of Payra Port has been divided in nine components, where India has agreed to provide finance to one component.
In that case, India could invest through PPP [public-private partnership] or direct investment. In preliminary stage it was decided that a private company will construct the terminal, the officials added.
“We’ve already given permission to India to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports. But it is yet to take decision on the fee for using the ports. It will be fixed during the settlement of standard operating procedure [SOP],” Ashok Madhab Roy said.
On Tuesday, the Joint Technical Committee on riverine protocol route held meeting over the Port issues.
Officials said the earnings would be increased with the increasing use of Ports while Bangladeshi vehicles, such as trucks, covered vans and container carriers to be used in carrying Indian goods. About the Port using fee, the Secretary said: “It is not possible to fix the fee at the initial stage. Usually, there are three stages-first is MoU, next is agreement and then standard operating procedure [SPO]. The amount of fee will be in details in the SPO.”
“After thorough discussion, we’ve initially prepared the draft agreement about the rules and regulations on using the ports. In the draft, there is a section where a committee will be formed comprising top level officials of two countries to prepare the SPO,” he said. Officials said the Economic Relations Division [ERD] and Foreign Ministry will finalise which agreements to be signed during PM’s India visit.
What about other facilities, including the levy, to be given to India, the Secretary said: “Generally, India will not get any special facility. We’ll sign deal for using our route. Like other international ports, all charges will be given by India.”
Officials said the Shipping Ministry has sent a Primary Development Project Proforma [PDPP] to ERD about construction of Payra Port where estimated cost has been fixed at US$18 billion. Responding to it, 125 countries have expressed interest to build different components where India is one of them. Indian Shipping Secretary Rajiv Kumar said: “A few private organizations, including Indian Port Global, have expressed interest to construct Payra Port.”
Answering another query, he said: We’ll fix the matter about the Chittagong and Mongla Ports through discussion. Hope, the matter will be settled by this month.”
Apart from this, a MoU was also signed between the two sides to increase tourism through waterways. “Bangladesh and Indian tourists will be allowed in coastal and protocol routes between the countries. But they will not be allowed to depart from ship,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday [December 6], the 18th Home Secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and India concluded in New Delhi where Home Secretary Dr. Md. Mozammel Haque Khan led Bangladesh side and his Indian counterpart Rajiv Mehrishi led his country’s team. The talks were held mainly on law and order along Indo-Bangladesh border, prevention of cross-border smuggling, especially of drugs and handing of the wanted criminals hiding in both sides of the border.
Dhaka called for Delhi’s cooperation in speedy signing of the strip map of Muhurir char. It also requested the Indian authorities to allow Bangladeshi travellers to use any Indian air and land port for entry and exit from India, according to officials.
