Modi's Bangladesh visit: Focus on trade, connectivity

Boosting trade and connectivity, especially people-to-people, is set to be the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh on June 6-7, as both neighbours prepare to put into operation the long awaited land swap agreement.

Modi, who is travelling to Dhaka on a 36-hour visit, will take along West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who would be present at the signing of the Land Boundary Agreement in Dhaka.

But an accord on sharing the Teesta river waters will not be on the agenda as "much distance is to be travelled" yet by both sides on arriving at an agreement.

It is understood that while the West Bengal government has been kept on board on consultations regarding sharing of the Teesta, which runs through lower riparian neighbour Bangladesh, the necessary support from the state has not been forthcoming.

Modi, during the visit, will flag off the Shillong-Dhaka via Guwahati bus service, and the Kolkata-Dhaka via Agartala bus service, which is expected to give a major boost to people-to-people connectivity between both countries.

While both countries already have the Kolkata to Dhaka train service, Maitree Express, both sides would examine the possibility of a train service between Khulna and Kolkata, sources said.

In a major step forward, both sides are negotiating a coastal shipping agreement, which would allow smaller vessels to go to Bangladesh.

The inking of the LBA in Dhaka would set off the process of its implementation which is likely to take a few months.

Both sides have also settled their maritime border, following an arbitration process.

The significance of settling the border is that now no one will question where the border lies.

The lurking fear in Bangladesh that India may reopen the border question has been set at rest, a source said.

It is also critical in terms of the impact on the people living in the enclaves, who have been stateless since independence.