DHAKA: New Delhi has agreed to allow trucks from Nepal to enter Bangladesh through the land customs station at Banglabandha, apparently reciprocating the transit facility India seeks from Dhaka.

“India is fully ready now,” Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at a joint press conference Saturday, conveying India’s readiness to allow trucks from Nepal to enter Bangladesh.

During Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi on January 10 this year, Bangladesh conveyed its intention to give Nepal and Bhutan access to Mongla and Chittagong seaports while agreeing on greater connectivity in the region.

However, the Indian side did not make any concrete statement at the time.

The Joint Communiqué issued on the occasion of Hasina’s visit to India, issued on January 12, said: “It was agreed that trucks for movement from Bhutan and Nepal be allowed to enter about 200 meters into Zero Point at Banglabandh at Banglabandh-Phulbari land customs station. Necessary arrangements shall be mutually agreed and put in place by both countries.”

The Indian Premier had also agreed that Rohanpur–Singabad broad-gauge railway link would be available for transit to Nepal. Bangladesh had communicated its intention to convert Radhikapur – Birol railway line to broad gauge and requested for railway transit link to Bhutan as well.

Addressing the press conference at state guesthouse Jamuna, Pranab said his country has also agreed to help Bangladesh deal with power crises by undertaking joint ventures to build thermal power plants.

“These are significant developments,” Pranab said, after his talks with Bangladesh leaders during his whirlwind trip to Dhaka for a follow-up on the Dhaka-Delhi communiqué on cooperation in greater ambience.

He further said New Delhi will export 300,000 tonnes of rice and 200,000 tonnes of wheat to Bangladesh in defiance of its ban on export of essentials.

Pranab also called for strong joint-effort to fight terrorism and militancy.  

Bangladesh Finance Minister AMA Muhith told the conference that fourteen projects were finalised to implement with the US$ 1 billion credit from India under the deal inked here Saturday. “We hope to make best use of the credit.”

He said: “We always welcome the transit with Nepal and Bhutan through India and China through Myanmar, which will be helpful for us.”

BDST 2130 HRS, AUGUST 7, 2010.