India received first shipment from Bangladesh through water route

India has received the first commercial shipment from Bangladesh through water route on November 9, 2020. The shipment was received Assam’s Karimganj on the Protocol for Inland Water Trade and Transit (PIWTT) route. This is a step towards utilizing the inland waterway connectivity for trade and prosperity between both the countries.

About Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT)

• India and Bangladesh have a Protocol on Trade and Transit through inland waterways. The protocol was first signed in 1972 and renewed in 2015.
• The protocol allows making mutual arrangements for using the waterways of both the countries for commerce.
• The protocol now has a provision of automatic renewal after 5 years.
• Recently, a second addendum has been added to the protocol on May 20, 2020 which includes new Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) routes and port of call.
• According to the 2^nd addendum, the number of IBP routes has been increased to 10 from 8 and new locations have also been included.
• The number of Port of Call was increased to 11 with 2 extended Ports of Call in each country.
• This second addendum to the protocol was signed in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Earlier, in order to strengthen ties between both the countries, Indian Army gifted 10 mine detection dogs and 20 fully trained military horses to the Bangladesh Army. Indian Army has also trained the Bangladesh Army personnel for handling and training these military horses and detection dogs.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020