NEW DELHI : Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2-day trip to Dhaka from June 6, the Union Cabinet chaired by him cleared two pacts to be signed with Bangladesh during the visit.
One is the coastal shipping agreement for the coastal trade between the two countries using smaller ships known as RSV (River Sea Vessel). There is almost no cargo movement between the ports of the two countries because it is unprofitable for the bigger ships and hence the decision to go for RSV that cost less in construction and operations.
The second is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to be signed between India and Bangladesh on bilateral cooperation to prevent human trafficking in women and children and help the victims with rescue and repatriation.
The draft MOU was finalised by a bilateral task force in its fourth meeting in Mumbai in April last year.
It envisages expeditious repatriation of victims and the home country ensuring their safe and effective reintegration.
Officials said the coastal shipping agreement will improve utilisation of the Indian ports’ capacities and open up new opportunity for the Indian ships, besides decongesting the roads used so far for trade between India and Bangladesh.
They said it would not only increase bilateral trade, but give big business to the Indian ports by serving as trans-shipment ports for Bangladesh cargo.
