DHAKA: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) discussed specific hydropower projects under BBIN framework that could be concretized on equitable basis and agreed to commence talks on the possibility of having a BBIN Rail Agreement.
The joint working groups (JWGs) on sub-regional cooperation also decided that an Experts Group would be constituted for exchanging best practices in water resource management and on specifics of the identified projects, power trade, inter-grid connectivity, flood forecasting and other areas of possible cooperation.
Theses were discussed in the third meetings of JWGs on sub-regional cooperation between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) on Water Resources Management and Power/Hydropower and on Connectivity and Transit held in Dhaka on January 19-20.
Noting Bangladesh's interest in importing power in the BBIN framework, India has agreed to favorably consider such import subject to grid security, transmission, interconnection and applicable laws, rules and regulations of the respective countries.
In this context, the 3rd meeting of JWG on Water Resources Management and Power/Hydropower carried forward earlier discussions on scope for power trade and inter-grid connectivity cooperation in future power projects and water resource management between the four neighboring countries.
Specific hydropower projects under BBIN framework that could be concretized on equitable basis were discussed in the meeting.
Besides, the 3rd meeting of JWG on Connectivity and Transit reviewed progress under the BBIN MVA and made recommendations relevant to this process.
It was also agreed in the meeting to commence discussions on the possibility of having a BBIN Rail Agreement drawing on the draft SAARC Regional Rail Agreement template.
India along with the other three countries in the BBIN framework has also agreed in the meeting to give attention on priority to the land ports/ land customs stations which are crucial for sub-regional trade and transit.
Earlier in June 2015, BBIN countries signed a landmark Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) for the regulation of passenger, personnel and cargo vehicular traffic among them.
Indian external affairs ministry joint secretaries Abhay Thakur and Sripriya Ranganathan led a 6-member delegation comprising of senior officers from concerned ministries from India for the two JWG meetings under BBIN sub-regional cooperation.
The JWGs met in follow up to the visit of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in June 2015, said a press release of Indian high commission in Dhaka issued on Thursday (January 21).
During that visit, both Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India agreed that the advantages of sub-regional cooperation in power sector, water resources, trade, transit and connectivity should be harnessed to mutual benefit.
Moreover, BBIN MVA will allow the member countries to move forward with implementation of land transport facilitation arrangements between and among them, enable the exchange of traffic rights and ease cross-border movement of goods, vehicles and people, thereby helping to expand people-to-people contact, trade and economic exchanges between them.
The BBIN MVA would make cross-border trade and transport in and through India to and from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal more efficient.
BDST: 1925 HRS, JAN 21, 2016
RS/RR/SMS
