Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh-Bhutan-India on Friday exchanged views on various aspects related to connectivity and transit, including potential benefits in the sub-regional context in the first trilateral meeting on connectivity and transit.
A draft Terms of Reference (ToR) proposed by the Bangladesh side for the Working Group was discussed among the parties in the meeting held in Dhaka, an official announcement said.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Mashfee Binte Shams, Director General (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bhutanese delegation by Dasho Bap Kesang, Ambassador of Bhutan in Bangladesh and the Indian delegation by Shri Virendra Kumar, Director (Works), Ministry of Railways.
The delegations noted that this trilateral meeting on connectivity and transit was the first initiative of its kind and would pave the way for future comprehensive cooperation in the sub-regional context.
The meeting was considered a significant step forward towards materializing the understanding reached among the highest political leadership with regard to concerted efforts for the attainment of common aspiration of economic development and prosperity of the region for mutual benefit.
It was agreed that road, rail and waterways were building blocks to an interdependent and mutually beneficial relationship.
The delegations agreed to continue discussions in this regard at the next meeting of the Working Group with a view to finalizing the ToR and a framework for facilitating sub-regional connectivity and transit.
The next meeting of the Working Group will be held in India at a mutually convenient date.
BBN/SSR/AD-19Apr13-9:43 pm (BST)
