Regional ties strengthened by BBIN transit deal, says India’s Transport Minister Gadkari

India’s Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has said Motor Vehicle Agreement between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) has further strengthened the regional cooperation among the four SAARC countries.

“The Motor Vehicle Agreement is the overarching frame work to fulfil our commitment to enhance regional connectivity,” he said during the signing ceremony of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement for Regulation of Passenger Personnel and Cargo Vehicular Traffic.

“This will need to be followed through with formulation of the required protocols and procedures in the shortest time possible to realise the ultimate objective of free movement of people and goods in the region.” 

The agreement further enhanced the need for building and upgrading infrastructures for roads, railways and waterways, energy grids, communications and air links to ensure smooth cross border flow of goods, services, capital, technology and people, the minister said.

“Taken together, this provides enormous opportunity for integration and development of our region,” he said.

Commemorating the agreement, a BBIN Friendship Motor Car Rally has been proposed.

“This car rally will not only highlight advantages of connectivity in the region, but also help demonstrate the practical framework of BBIN Agreement to facilitate cross border movement of vehicles,” the Indian minister said.

He cited the Delhi-Kathmandu, Varanasi-Kathmandu, Kolkata-Agartala via Dhaka, and Guwahati-Dhaka bus services that had been flagged off recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“More such routes including Imphal-Mandalay with Myanmar and Delhi-Pokhra with Nepal will soon become operational.” Gadkari said.