INDIABANGLADESH: THE STATE OF PLAY

The two have institutionalised cooperation in the areas of security and defence; trade and commerce; health, electricity, connectivity; education, skill development; e-governance

INVESTING IN A PARTNERSHIP

■ India’s first and second lines of credit worth nearly $3 billion to Bangladesh were utilised for projects in transport and infrastructure such as roads, railways, bridges and inland waterways

■ A third line of credit of $4.5 billion will be for port construction, railways, roads, airports, power & energy, telecommunications and shipping

■ Indian private sector has signed agreements that will result in investment of over $9 billion in Bangladesh

■ Bangladesh has set aside an area of 1,005 acres for setting up an Indian SEZ

POWERING BANGLADESH

■ 600 MW of electricity flows through Bheramara-bahrampur and Tripurasouth Comilla interconnections

■ 500 MW more will be transmitted through Bheramara-bahrampur

■ More interconnections are planned between Bornagar (Assam), Parbatipur (Bangladesh) and Katihar (Bihar) from which Bangladesh can draw 1,000 MW

■ Indian private sector is also investing in Bangladesh power sector

■ There is growing civil nuclear energy cooperation

■ Supply of high speed diesel, natural gas, LNG, LPG, and trans-boundary pipelines help Bangladesh meet its energy needs

BUILDING CONNECTIVITY

■ The two countries are in the process of restoring former railway linkages

■ Newly restored rail link between Radhikapur (India) and Birol (Bangladesh) to facilitate cargo movement

■ Rail link between Akhaura and Agartala to be completed by the end of 2018

■ New bus service between Kolkata -Khulna-dhaka launched

Source: Ministry of external affairs, India, and ministry of foreign affairs, Bangladesh