India and Bangladesh Relations: Second Addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade signed

India and Bangladesh Relations: Second Addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade signed

• Recently, the Second Addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade was signed between India and Bangladesh.
• To boost trade, economic activity and connectivity, India and Bangladesh have added five more “ports of call”. 
• The protocol (water) routes have also been increased from 8 to 10.
• Inclusion of Sonamura- Daudkhandi stretch of ‘Gumti river’ (93 Km): It will improve the connectivity of Tripura and adjoining States with Indian and Bangladesh’s economic centres.

Important value additions:

Protocol on Transit and Trade

• Protocol on Transit and Trade through inland waterways between Bangladesh and India was first signed in 1972 (immediately after independence of Bangladesh)
• It was last renewed in 2015 for five years with a provision for its automatic renewal for a further period of five years giving long term assurance to various stakeholders.