Bangladesh Defense
Saif
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How important is Maitri Setu?
The opening of Maitri Setu marks a significant development in terms of connectivity in India’s northeastern region. The strategically located state of Tripura will strengthen its credentials as a key gateway to the northeastern region of India on one hand, and Southeast Asia on the other. The bridge represents strengthening of bilateral relations and deepening of friendly ties between India and Bangladesh.
The bridge will facilitate transportation of goods from West Bengal to Northeast India through the Chittagong and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh. Given that Bangladesh’s Chittagong port is barely 80 kilometers away from Tripura’s last border town Sabroom, the flow of goods across the bridge is considered important not only for the state but also for the entire northeast region. The bridge also connects to the Matarbari deep sea port in Bangladesh.
Further, the bridge will enhance transport links and foster greater economic and cultural exchanges, thus playing a crucial role in regional integration and development. The opening of Maitri Setu not only enhances connectivity within India’s northeastern region but also provides landlocked countries like Bhutan and Nepal with direct access to the Bay of Bengal.
Additionally, the bridge opens a new maritime route from Kolkata to Chittagong, providing a faster alternative to the Sittwe Port-Kaladan route. The Indian-built Sittwe port, located in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, was inaugurated in May 2023. The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Corridor links the port to Mizoram in northeastern India. The corridor also includes India’s broader engagement with the thriving economies of Southeast Asia.
Maitri Setu, addressing NE India’s connectivity challenges
India’s northeast, a region rich in natural resources, has long struggled with inadequate connectivity. The northeast region contributes about 2.8% to the nation’s GDP, barely tapping its vast potential.
Being a landlocked region, the NE economy has faced significant challenges when it comes to supply and trade. Its only link to the rest of India is a narrow 22-kilometer Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the “chicken neck.” The presence of a single freight corridor through the Siliguri Corridor makes it susceptible to any unexpected interruption or breakdown.
This limited connection results in unnecessarily lengthy trade routes and road journeys. For example, traveling from Agartala in Tripura to the nearest port in Kolkata requires a 1,600-kilometer road journey through Siliguri.
A significant portion of the overall exports from the Northeastern states is shipped through border points within the region. This is attributed to the landlocked nature of the Northeast, necessitating that export consignments pass through seaports and airports located outside the region.
Maitri Setu offers a direct access for Tripura to the seaport of Chittagong through Ramgarh, enhancing trade link between the Rest of India with NE and NE and Bangladesh. (India’s border with Bangladesh stretches for 4,096.7 km. Of this, 1,880 km is shared by four Northeastern states—Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram—while the remaining 2,216.7 km is shared with West Bengal.)
Among the key industries that are likely to experience positive impacts of improved trade links include Bamboo industry (nearly two-fifths of India’s bamboo stock is located in the Northeast region), Tourism (developing of tourist circuits, homestays and viewpoints), and food processing (boosted by Northeast region’s surplus agricultural and horticultural produce).
The Maitri Setu will provide the fastest land route to connect the India’s landlocked North East region via Sabroom to the Chittagong port, facilitating passenger movement from both countries. It will enable travel from Bangladesh’s southern districts, including Cox’s Bazar and the Chattogram Hill Tracts, to India via Tripura, as well as facilitate international cargo movement from the Chattogram seaport. Currently people from Bangladesh and Tripura commute through two integrated check points (ICP)– Akhaura (Agartala) and Srimantapur (Sonamura) – which connect central part of Bangladesh including Dhaka.
The robust bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh showcase a comprehensive partnership that surpasses a mere strategic alliance, built on trust and mutual understanding. The Friendship Bridge has unlocked new opportunities for trade and communication between Southeast Asian countries and India’s northeastern region, providing a crucial connectivity link to the Bay of Bengal.
To read the entire article, please visit the link below:
The opening of Maitri Setu marks a significant development in terms of connectivity in India’s northeastern region. The strategically located state of Tripura will strengthen its credentials as a key gateway to the northeastern region of India on one hand, and Southeast Asia on the other. The bridge represents strengthening of bilateral relations and deepening of friendly ties between India and Bangladesh.
The bridge will facilitate transportation of goods from West Bengal to Northeast India through the Chittagong and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh. Given that Bangladesh’s Chittagong port is barely 80 kilometers away from Tripura’s last border town Sabroom, the flow of goods across the bridge is considered important not only for the state but also for the entire northeast region. The bridge also connects to the Matarbari deep sea port in Bangladesh.
Further, the bridge will enhance transport links and foster greater economic and cultural exchanges, thus playing a crucial role in regional integration and development. The opening of Maitri Setu not only enhances connectivity within India’s northeastern region but also provides landlocked countries like Bhutan and Nepal with direct access to the Bay of Bengal.
Additionally, the bridge opens a new maritime route from Kolkata to Chittagong, providing a faster alternative to the Sittwe Port-Kaladan route. The Indian-built Sittwe port, located in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, was inaugurated in May 2023. The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Corridor links the port to Mizoram in northeastern India. The corridor also includes India’s broader engagement with the thriving economies of Southeast Asia.
Maitri Setu, addressing NE India’s connectivity challenges
India’s northeast, a region rich in natural resources, has long struggled with inadequate connectivity. The northeast region contributes about 2.8% to the nation’s GDP, barely tapping its vast potential.
Being a landlocked region, the NE economy has faced significant challenges when it comes to supply and trade. Its only link to the rest of India is a narrow 22-kilometer Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the “chicken neck.” The presence of a single freight corridor through the Siliguri Corridor makes it susceptible to any unexpected interruption or breakdown.
This limited connection results in unnecessarily lengthy trade routes and road journeys. For example, traveling from Agartala in Tripura to the nearest port in Kolkata requires a 1,600-kilometer road journey through Siliguri.
A significant portion of the overall exports from the Northeastern states is shipped through border points within the region. This is attributed to the landlocked nature of the Northeast, necessitating that export consignments pass through seaports and airports located outside the region.
Maitri Setu offers a direct access for Tripura to the seaport of Chittagong through Ramgarh, enhancing trade link between the Rest of India with NE and NE and Bangladesh. (India’s border with Bangladesh stretches for 4,096.7 km. Of this, 1,880 km is shared by four Northeastern states—Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram—while the remaining 2,216.7 km is shared with West Bengal.)
Among the key industries that are likely to experience positive impacts of improved trade links include Bamboo industry (nearly two-fifths of India’s bamboo stock is located in the Northeast region), Tourism (developing of tourist circuits, homestays and viewpoints), and food processing (boosted by Northeast region’s surplus agricultural and horticultural produce).
The Maitri Setu will provide the fastest land route to connect the India’s landlocked North East region via Sabroom to the Chittagong port, facilitating passenger movement from both countries. It will enable travel from Bangladesh’s southern districts, including Cox’s Bazar and the Chattogram Hill Tracts, to India via Tripura, as well as facilitate international cargo movement from the Chattogram seaport. Currently people from Bangladesh and Tripura commute through two integrated check points (ICP)– Akhaura (Agartala) and Srimantapur (Sonamura) – which connect central part of Bangladesh including Dhaka.
The robust bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh showcase a comprehensive partnership that surpasses a mere strategic alliance, built on trust and mutual understanding. The Friendship Bridge has unlocked new opportunities for trade and communication between Southeast Asian countries and India’s northeastern region, providing a crucial connectivity link to the Bay of Bengal.
To read the entire article, please visit the link below:
Maitri Setu: A bridge to enhance regional connectivity and trade - India Business and Trade
The Maitri Setu will enhances connectivity in India's northeastern region, positioning Tripura as a gateway to Southeast Asia.
www.indiabusinesstrade.in
