India-Bangladesh relations multifaceted, can't be confined to single agenda: Indian envoy

Mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and India is multi-dimensional and cannot be confined to a single agenda, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma said today.

Speaking at an event organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, Verma noted the robust ties between the two nations.

He said, "Our trade and economic ties, our transport and energy connectivity, and our people-to-people engagement have sustained a positive momentum despite turbulent changes. This shows that our relations are truly multifaceted and cannot be reduced to a single issue."

Verma underscored India's continued commitment to fostering a stable and constructive relationship with Bangladesh.

"India will remain supportive of a democratic, stable, peaceful, and progressive Bangladesh. We will continue to seek a relationship in which our people are the main stakeholders," he said.

He underlined the growing interdependence between the two countries, noting their intertwined economies and development paths.

"Both India and Bangladesh are far more developed and capable than ever before. We depend on each other far more today. As two aspirational societies with growing economic capabilities, we must keep reinforcing our interdependencies," Verma added.

Highlighting Bangladesh's strategic importance, Verma said the country is not just a vital pillar of India's "Neighbourhood First" policy but also central to its Act East policy, the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, and the Indo-Pacific vision.

He added that Bangladesh's geographical position and aspirations uniquely position it to advance BIMSTEC integration.

Discussing trade relations, Verma noted that Bangladesh is India's largest trade partner in South Asia and the fifth largest globally.

"India has unilaterally provided duty-free access to all goods from Bangladesh for over a decade, enabling greater exports from Bangladesh to India," he said.

Addressing concerns about the trade deficit, he explained that much of India's exports to Bangladesh consists of essential inputs for Bangladesh's industries and commodities to combat inflation.

On connectivity, Verma remarked, "Connectivity is a major enabler that helps our societies, businesses, and people connect and benefit from each other."

He highlighted restored pre-1965 rail links, upgraded customs checkpoints, and new infrastructure at integrated checkposts to enhance cargo movement and passenger convenience.

He also cited examples of deepening energy collaboration, including the cross-border diesel pipeline from Assam to Bangladesh and power transmission lines that supply 1,200 megawatts of electricity from India to Bangladesh.

Additionally, he noted the first transmission of 40MW power from Nepal to Bangladesh via the Indian grid as a significant milestone in regional energy cooperation.

Verma concluded by stressing the importance of leveraging connectivity to create a regional economy, stating that initiatives like transhipment hubs at Indian airports and seaports provide cost-effective opportunities for Bangladeshi exporters to enhance their competitiveness in global markets.