Agartala likely to be gateway to implement “Act East Policy”: Nirmala Sitharaman

Tripura located in an advantageous position in respect of strategic, diplomatic and economic relations with Bangladesh is likely to become the gateway in tandem with implementation of the ‘Act East’ policy adopted by the Government of India. The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman said this today during the inauguration of the first Border Haat set up along Indo-Bangladesh international border at Srinagar, a bordering village in South Tripura.

She said the Centre intended to move for development of Bangladesh through Tripura. Smt. Sitharaman assured to look into the matter to expedite building the bridge over Feni river. She said the Centre is looking forward to the North-East as the threshold to reach the South-East Asian countries. Later in the afternoon, Smt. Sitharaman visited the Integrated Check Post at Akhaura border at Agartala and enquired about the position of the ICP.

Chief Minister of Tripura Shri Manik Sarkar inaugurated the Border Haat in presence of Mr. Tofail Ahmed, Commerce Minister, Government of the People`s Republic of Bangladesh, Shri Jitendra Choudhury, MP, India, Smt. Shirin Akhtar, MP, Bangladesh, Shri Pankaj Shran, High Commissioner of India in Dhaka.

Chief Minister Shri Manik Sarkar made a plea to the governments of both countries to provide transit facility using Ashuganj and Chittagong sea ports in Bangladesh. He said if allowing transit facility is not possible, trans-shipment facility could be taken into consideration and that would closer friendly relations between two sides. In the function, Mr. Tofail Ahmed conveyed his government’s thanks and gratitude to the Government of India. On the issue of border disputes, Shri Sarkar said the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is keen to address these issues.

Cross-border trade facilitation via Border Haat expands regional connectivity and seeks transit or trans shipment access through neighbouring ports. Inauguration of a Border Haat is described as a tool for cross-border trade facilitation and regional integration under the Act East policy, coupled with measures to develop the Integrated Check Post and expedite bridge construction over the Feni river to improve access to South East Asian markets; state officials requested permission for transit facilities via neighbouring seaports or, alternatively, trans shipment arrangements to strengthen bilateral trade links.