Security is always an important element in today's complexities and confrontational diplomacy in South Asia.
But economy is another facet and it cannot do well when there is unrest and related episodes. The regime change in Bangladesh in 2024 was such a drastic episode having both short term and long term fallouts.
However, local experts also point out that internet or fibre networks between Bangladesh and India in the context of north east of India have not been impacted even after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
Traditionally, four key dimensions always revolving around Bangladesh-India relationships vis-a-vis states such as Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya are language,
civilisational,
historical and cultural.
As stated above we are adding two important aspects -
the Security and
the Economy. And both on merits or for good reasons.
On the face value itself one can say that --
Things have changed in Assam and Tripura post-August 5, 2024 when India-friendly Sheikh Hasina was ousted and forced to flee Bangladesh.
Economies and trades have been badly affected. Limited trade, minimal truckloads of exchange, downsizing of the tourism sector have been visible. It goes without stating that the sudden collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh has cast a shadow on key connectivity and trade projects in Tripura, which is likely to have far-reaching implications on the northeastern state's growth engine.
In June this year I interviewed Pankaj Nath, an Awami League leader now in exile. And he summed up the paradox:
"Under the situation... the US, the global community and India can do a lot..and can do everything. But what India wants to do is strictly India's decision. The contemporary setting and political uncertainty is a serious threat to the region.... and the world has to appreciate that".
On this backdrop we can mention about the fate of 'Maitri Setu' (friendship bridge), built over River Feni in South Tripura's Sabroom sub-division.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his the then Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the same in March 2021. The 1.9-km-long bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 133 crore, promises a shorter and more economical alternate connectivity between the Northeast and Kolkata via Chittagong and Mongla ports in Bangladesh with Sabroom as a gateway to the Southeast Asian nations.
There are reports emerging that the trade trade associations have estimated a loss of around Rs 110-120 crore of commerce exchanges per day.
Analysts say sea access for India's North East. Once fully operational, the Sabroom project will provide India's landlocked North East region an access to international SLOCs via the Bay of Bengal.
***
Supply-Chain Resilience and Cost Effective. Functional ICP/Land Port at Sabroom and Ramgarh Land Port reduces transit time and logistics costs for the North East's exports/imports of steel, cement, food & light manufacturing.
The project complements BBIN/ BIMSTEC corridors and India-Bangladesh multimodal project and connects road-rail-in-land waterways to a blue-water gateway.
The Sabroom-Chittagong Connectivity Project is also aligned with India's Act East Policy.
It may be stated that India's north east region has been constrained by geographical and limited access routes through the Siliguri Corridor, making trade and military logistics costly and time-consuming.
Box
** Maitri Setu (Friendship Bridge) - It's 1.9 km bridge over the Feni River
** Rs 133 crore project links India's NH 8 (ending at Sabroom) to Ramgarh, Bangladesh.
** The overland Indian routes from Agartala to Kolkata is approx 1,600 km, but access through Bangladesh's Chittagong port is approx 75 km by road from Sabroom via the Maitri Setu bridge.
Sabroom Integrated Check Post (ICP)
-- enables seamless onward transportation from NE India to Bangladesh's road network. It is worth Rs 230 crore project.
 |
| Awami League leader now in exile - Pankaj Nath |
Tripura Economic -- Boost:
The Tripura will see development and economic progression as it will emerge as a hub for warehousing.
In February 2025, inland waterway connectivity via the Gomati River to Bangladesh's Ashuganj river port was expanded. This connects Tripura to the Bay of Bengal, and subsequently to Indian port cities like Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, and Paradip, opening up new avenues for international trade.
But there are hurdles and roadblocks:
On July 12-13 (2024) ; About 70 shops and houses were set ablaze by a group of people at Gandatwisa in Dhalai district of Tripura following the death of a tribal youth.
Another clash broke out at Kadamtala in North Tripura district just ahead of the Durga Puja in October 2024.
A Muslim trader was shot dead by the police, triggering communal tension.
ends
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