July 24, 2008

India asks Bangladesh for gas transit through Chittagong

Mr Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty Indian High Commissioner has said that Bangladesh should grant transit facilities to India through the Chittagong sea port as it will significantly improve Bangladesh's economy and reduce dependence on foreign aid.

Mr Chakravarty said that "If Bangladesh gives transit to India through Chittagong Port, it will boost Bangladesh's economy and significantly reduce foreign aid dependence." He added that India had asked Bangladesh for the transit facilities long ago and is still awaiting a reply from Dhaka.

Bangladesh's communications ministry had earlier expressed its reservations about India's request for allowing transport of heavy equipment for power plants from Kolkata to Tripura via Bangladesh, saying the road infrastructure was not suitable for such transit. The ministry had said in a letter to India that "The roads and bridges, due to their present conditions, cannot bear the loads of such heavy equipment."

Meanwhile, analysts have said the long standing issue was a political hot potato in Bangladesh as subsequent regimes preferred to sit on the matter largely because of political considerations.