In what may be a major step in opening up proposed land route between the north-eastern states and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, the Centre, in principle, has agreed to start bus services between Guwahati and Dhaka through Daowki border in Meghalaya.
Disclosing that modalities are being worked out between the two countries to start the bus services, security sources said that Dahaka has also agreed to allow India to use Chittagong port for trade through the sea route.
In what will help the land-locked north-eastern states in enhancing its trade, security sources said that New Delhi is also negotiating with its counterpart in Dhaka for opening up the river route that can connect Assam directly to Chittagong sea port and Kolkata ports in West Bengal, reducing the transportation cost to the region manifold.
The transit routes through Bangladesh, mainly carrying of cargo, would be immensely beneficial for the north-eastern states, which have been facing transportation problems.
The security sources involved in negotiating the insurgency-related issues with Dhaka pointed out that if Dhaka also agrees for transit facilities connecting Chittagong and other ports in Bangladesh through river route to India, commodities and machinery can be transported to the Northeast from various parts of India and abroad, saving huge time and money.
Indicating that two countries have agreed to explore the possibility of enhancing the trade possibilities further, security sources however admitted that insurgency was still the biggest predicament to which Dhaka has been using as bargaining point.
The security sources clarified that the Bangladesh government is now keen to increase trade, business and connectivity with Northeast India but some of the local factors might have been delaying the process. Informing that Dhaka has also agreed to deport Ulfa general secretary Anup Chetia but there are some legal hassle as Anup Chetia has applied for political asylum which is pending before the court.