Agartala, August 3:
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah, concluded his three-day visit to Tripura on Sunday and left for New Delhi. Before departing, he met Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu at Raj Bhavan. He was accompanied by Arif Muhammad, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh’s diplomatic mission in Agartala.
The envoy had arrived in Agartala on Friday and met Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha soon after landing. According to official sources, his trip was tightly scheduled, focusing on inspections of critical cross-border infrastructure projects awaiting inauguration between India and Bangladesh.
Due to the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh, projects such as the Agartala-Akhaura railway line, the Sabroom Integrated Check Post, and the Maitri Setu bridge over the Feni River have been delayed. These projects, along with the inland waterway connectivity initiative, are crucial for boosting trade and giving India’s North East states access to the sea.
During his visit, the High Commissioner personally inspected these key projects. Although he avoided extensive media interactions, he expressed satisfaction with the progress when asked by reporters, suggesting that India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties could strengthen in the coming months.
Tripura shares an 856-kilometer border with Bangladesh, and these connectivity projects are expected to transform the state into a major trade hub for the North East once operational.
The delay in inaugurations stems from political unrest in Bangladesh, which forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to leave the country, stalling cross-border collaborations.
Recently, as a goodwill gesture, the interim Bangladesh government gifted mangoes to Chief Minister Saha. The envoy’s visit is being viewed as a positive signal aimed at restoring and improving bilateral relations.
Hamidullah departed for New Delhi from MBB Airport Agartala on a 3 p.m. flight.
