GUWAHATI: Water resources management and port connectivity are critical
in boosting commercial relationship between India and Bangladesh,
stakeholders of the two countries asserted recently.
India and Bangladesh share a total of 54 rivers and historically, the
two countries have shared riverine routes for trade, commerce and
movement of people, speakers said at a session over ‘Port Use
Agreements’ held on the concluding day of the India Bangladesh
Stakeholders’ Meet here. The session was jointly coordinated by
Bangladesh Ministry of Shipping Secretary Md Abdus Samad and Inland
Waterways Authority of India Chairperson Dr Amita Prasad.
In recent times, India and its neighbours have realised the immense
potential of rivers as trade-transport- connectivity routes, both within
and across borders. Recent developments and policy thrust of the
countries in the region show emphasis on re-harnessing that connectivity
and enhancing trade contacts, the speakers said.
Coordinators of both the countries pointed out the developments in
terms of maritime, coastal and inland waterways connecting the region,
and said some of these relate to neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan as well.
Prasad said the Indian Government has been putting increasing emphasis
on better management and governance of water resources for trade,
transport, tourism, domestic and industrial purposes.
As many as 106 new national waterways were declared in 2016 in addition to the five that already existed, she added.
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