A coastal shipping agreement between Bangladesh and India was ratified on 21 April 2015 in New Delhi. Bangladesh Shipping Secretary Shafiq Alam Mehedi and Indian Shipping Secretary Rajib Kumar ratified the deal to facilitate trade and transportation of goods through water routes between the two countries. Allowing merchant ships direct access through the two countries will reduce transport costs, create more employment opportunities, and expand trade and investment in Bangladesh and India. Mehedi led a 12-member Bangladesh delegation while Rajib Kumar headed a 25-member Indian team during the meeting. 

The agreement is likely to be signed during Indian Prime Minister Modi’s forthcoming visit to Bangladesh in June.

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Indo-Bangla coastal shipping deal ratified