PM Modi-Mohammad Yunus meet: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Bangkok to participate in the BIMSTEC conference and is expected to meet the Chief Advisor of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus. Notably, this meeting is going to take place at a time when Muhammad Yunus gave provocative remarks about India’s northeastern states. The new Yunus government, which came to power after the fall of Sheikh Hasina last year, is now looking for help from China to keep its closest neighbor away from Bangladesh. This is the reason why Yunus not only called the northeastern states a landlocked area, but also offered China access to India’s Chicken Neck (Siliguri Corridor).
Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in the subcontinent and India is the second largest export partner, accounting for 12 per cent of total exports to Bangladesh. But Bangladesh’s new Yunus government is intent on changing the status quo. However, this government is not elected and is in power only until elections are held and an elected government is installed. Bangladesh is now looking towards China. Healthcare is another area where Dhaka now wants to bring China in.
According to Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) chairman Ashik Chowdhury, the movement of transport for healthcare from Bangladesh, which is usually towards India and Thailand, now China is trying to provide us that help and support. He stressed on getting investment from China and said that our goal is to turn Bangladesh into a manufacturing hub. Bangladesh will emerge as the factory of the world.
Chowdhury has reportedly said that Bangladesh is moving forward on many ports and are thinking about the bay terminal in Chittagong. Because through port connectivity, Bangladesh wants to establish itself as a manufacturing hub. For this, Bangladesh is making an offer to China.
Why is Chittagong important for India?
The presence of China in this region could make the Chicken Neck even more vulnerable. Chittagong is a port which gives India strategical upper hand than Bangladesh. India has already developed infrastructure to connect Tripura to Chittagong port. Chittagong port is a more viable option for the Northeast region, especially Southern Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram due to the shorter distance. The routes connecting Chittagong port to Agartala are economical compared to the Siliguri corridor.
from World – Latest News, Breaking News, LIVE News, Top News Headlines, Viral Video, Cricket LIVE, Sports, Entertainment, Business, Health, Lifestyle and Utility News | India.Com https://ift.tt/PQR7Bkm
