News List

Compiled features on recent developments in regional cooperation and integration in the SASEC region.

Year:
February 2023

ADB to Support India's Priority Development Needs

Mr. Masatsugu Asakawa, ADB President, conveyed to India Prime Minister Narendra Modi ADB's intention to scale up assistance to the country over the next five years to support India in meeting its priority development needs. He noted that ADB is willing to provide $20 billion–$25 billion in resources to further India's aspirations for fast, inclusive, and green growth.

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Tags: ADB, India

February 2023

India, Nepal Energy Meeting Discusses Increasing Bilateral Power Trade and Power Export to Bangladesh

The Governments of India and Nepal held the 10th joint steering committee meeting of Nepal-India Energy Secretary-level. Discussions were held on important issues including expanding existing, under-construction, and proposed transmission lines. India has also responded positively to Nepal's request to allow export of 50 MW of electricity to Bangladesh via India as per export-import guidelines if a specific proposal is submitted.

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Tags: India, Nepal, Energy, Bangladesh

February 2023

Bangladesh, India Foreign Secretaries Vow to Further Strengthen Cooperation

Mr. Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, met with Mr. Masud bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh. They agreed to further strengthen ongoing bilateral cooperation, in areas of trade and investment, connectivity, power and energy and people-to-people ties. They also agreed to enhance their cooperation and consultations on regional and international issues of shared interest.

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy, Hydropower

February 2023

Sri Lanka Looks to Link Electricity Grid with India as Part of Recovery Plan

A memorandum of understanding on linking India and Sri Lanka’s electricity grids could soon be signed to be followed by a feasibility study, according to Mr. Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India. India and Sri Lanka revived talks on linking their electricity grids in the first quarter of 2022.

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Tags: Sri Lanka, India, Energy

February 2023

India Allows Transshipment of Bangladesh Exports via Delhi Air Cargo

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of the Government of India has amended Circular 29/2020-Customs to allow the transshipment of Bangladesh export cargo to third countries via Delhi Air Cargo beginning 15 February 2023. Previously, air transshipment of Bangladesh export cargo to third countries was conducted only via the Kolkata air cargo complex.

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Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade Facilitation

February 2023

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Discusses Cooperation amid Economic Recovery with Government of India Officials

Mr. Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, met with Mr. Pramod Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector. He also held discussions with Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India, and Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister of the Government of India, on a range of issues, including bilateral trade and commerce.

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Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Tourism

February 2023

India to Support Bhutan in Developing its Third International Internet Gateway

India will help Bhutan develop its third international internet gateway. According to the Embassy of India in Bhutan, as part of their growing digital partnership, the Government of India will facilitate a concessional rate to bring down the cost of operations of the gateway.

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Tags: Bhutan, India, ICT

January 2023

Maldives President, India External Affairs Minister Launch Hanimaadhoo International Airport Project

India External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar called on Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his visit to Maldives. They jointly participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo international airport project.

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Tags: Maldives, India, Transport, Airports

January 2023

ADB to Support Upgrading of India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, will receive a loan to expand the terminal’s container handling capacity and attract vessels operating on important international shipping lanes. The Nhava Sheva Container Terminal Financing Project, signed by the ADB and Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal Private Limited, is a $131 million financing package.

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Tags: ADB, India, Shipping, Ports, Transport

January 2023

India to Encourage Investments in Sri Lanka’s Energy, Tourism, Infrastructure

Mr. S. Jaishnakar, External Affairs Minister of the Government of India, met with Mr. Ali Sabry, Foreign Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka. They discussed cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, industry, and health.

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Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Energy, Tourism

January 2023

Indian Railways to Take Passengers on Trip from Ayodhya to Janakpur in Special Tour

A special tour will be operated by the Indian Railways showcasing pilgrimage sites in Ayodhya, India, and Janakpur, Nepal, in February. The "Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train” is an initiative that will strengthen bilateral relations and promote cultural relations between India and Nepal, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Railways.

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Tags: India, Nepal, Tourism, Transport

January 2023

Bangladesh Re-opens Banglabandha Land Port to Acrylic Yarn Import from Nepal

Bangladesh has opened its Banglabandha Land Port for the import of acrylic yarn from Nepal, ending a 17-year-long restriction. A statutory regulatory order was issued by Bangladesh's National Board of Revenue on the matter.

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Tags: Bangladesh, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Trade

January 2023

Bangladesh Seeks Indian Cooperation for Hydropower Imports from Bhutan and Nepal

A bilateral meeting on electricity cooperation was held between Bangladesh and India. The meeting discussed the continued growth of Bangladesh's power sector and increasing demand for electricity in the country. Mr. Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of the Government of Bangladesh, sought Indian cooperation to allow Bangladesh to import hydropower from Bhutan and Nepal.

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Energy

January 2023

Bangladesh to Upgrade the Saidpur Airport to Boost Connectivity with BIN Neighbors

The Government of Bangladesh plans to upgrade its northernmost airport, the Saidpur airport in Nilphamari, into an international airport. Saidpur airport can be a key transit point to boost connectivity between Bangladesh and its BIN neighbors—Bhutan, India’s northeastern region, and Nepal.

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Airports, Air Transport, Transport