Bangladesh FM arrives in Agartala to strengthen cross-border trade

AGARTALA - Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni arrived here on Wednesday to strengthen cross-border trade and allied ties between the two nations.

Tripura Finance Minister Badal Choudhury and Minister of Commerce and Industry Jitendra Choudhury received Moni at the Akhaurah check post along the India-Bangladesh border after his arrival.

The visiting Bangladesh Foreign Minister thanked the State for supporting the recognition of Bengali on an international platform.

“On the issue of language (Bengali), I want to thank the Tripura Government on behalf of entire Bangladesh. I am grateful to you for demanding the Central Government to recognise Bengali as an international language in the United Nations General Assembly,” said Dipu Moni.

Tripura has sent a proposal to the Central Government for supporting Bangladesh in the United Nations for getting recognition of Bengali language.

A delegation of 30 business representatives has also accompanied Moni to boost trade related activities in other northeastern States of the country.

Later in the day, the Bangladeshi Minister met Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and other Indian officials.

During her visit, Dipu Moni will also address a business summit to be hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Eastern Zone chapter.

She will lay the foundation of a memorial dedicated to Indian soldiers and Bangladeshi freedom fighters on Thursday, who died during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war in Chottakhola of Southern Tripura.

As per a landmark agreement signed by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this year, India will construct a bridge over Feni River in Tripura to get access to the Chittagong port for exchange of goods and heavy machinery in the difficult terrain. (ANI)