India wants to expand the South Asian connectivity to the whole of Asia-Pacific region following the revolutionary Indo-Bangladesh link, affirmed New Delhi on 1 November.

At a connectivity conference held at the initiative of USA and Japan, Indian foreign secretary, Vijay Gokhale outlined the plan.

He also did not conceal the fact that Indian connectivity to the western border was being hampered by Pakistan.

Previously, the proposal of barrier free vehicle movement among SAARC nations stalled due to Pakistan’s refusal. Consequently, a BBIN framework was constructed with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India.

Indian foreign secretary Gokhale stressed on four issues to increase connectivity to India:

Inland water transport: transport of goods from Kolkata to Dhaka began last year with luxury yacht starting soon.

Container depot construction: A depot has been constructed near Pangaon river port and after getting access to Chittagong and Mongla, India will be interested to construct depots.

Establishment of rail and road connection between two countries: In addition to Dhaka-Kolkata and Khulna-Kolkata lines, work is underway to revive Haldibari-Chilahati, Changrabandha-Burimari and Agartola-Akhaura.

Inter-border energy connectivity revival: this involves all kinds of energy link. Power has been going from Paltana in Tripura to Bangladesh and work to establish oil pipeline from Numaligarh in Assam to Parvatipur in Bangladesh has progressed.

However, the most important aspect of Gokhale’s address is the need to expand the regional connectivity to the Asia Pacific.