New Delhi: Taking their bilateral ties to a new level, India on Monday handed over 10 broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar and minister for railways Piyush Goyal have virtually flagged off the locomotives to Bangladesh.
The event was also attended by the minister of state for railways Suresh Angadi. From the Bangladesh end, minister of railway Nurul Islam Sujan and minister of foreign affairs, Dr Abul Kalam Abdul Momen received the locomotives on behalf of the Bangladesh government.
Delighted to join Railways Minister @PiyushGoyal at the ceremony to hand over 10 Broad Gauge locomotives to Bangladesh. Fulfill an important commitment made during the visit of PM Sheikh Hasina to India last October. pic.twitter.com/cjhqyPg6SV
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 27, 2020
The handing over of these locomotives, under grant assistance from India, fulfills an important commitment made during the visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to India, in October, 2019, an official statement said.
In keeping with the requirements of Bangladesh Railway, the locomotives have been suitably modified by the Indian side.
These locomotives will help handle the increasing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh.
Speaking on the occasion, Jaishankar, highlighted the depth of time tested India-Bangladesh ties, based on mutual trust and respect.
He expressed his happiness that the COVID pandemic had not slowed down the pace of bilateral cooperation and conveyed that he looked forward to more such milestones in the ongoing historic Mujib Barsho.
Minister of railways and commerce & industry Piyush Goyal underscored the significance of railway cooperation in enhancing bilateral trade and connectivity and in further boosting the economic partnership between the two countries.
As part of handing over ceremony, EAM @DrSJaishankar & Minister of Railways, CIM @PiyushGoyal virtually flagged off 10 broad gauge diesel locomotives to Bangladesh.
— Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) July 27, 2020
Another chapter in🇮🇳-🇧🇩 Shonali Adhaya as envisioned by PM @narendramodi & Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina. pic.twitter.com/ZDQoX5tFZE
In the recent times, India and Bangladesh have stepped up their rail cooperation in mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, as trade via land border faced disruptions.
Rail as a cost effective and environmental friendly solution, has helped in transporting essential commodities across the border.
Both sides saw the highest ever exchange of freight trains in the month of June. A total of 103 freight trains were utilized for carrying essential commodities and raw materials.
Recently, parcel and container train services have also commenced between India and Bangladesh.
