Road link with Nepal to boost regional ties

Bangladesh-Nepal road link will be beneficial to all, including India, and it will help boost economic activities in the region, if only 17-kilometre road connection is given through Indian territory.

Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed and Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala made this observation when they met at the Hotel Maurya Sheraton here, a day after the end of the 14th SAARC Summit. Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, the acting Foreign Secretary and the Press Secretary were present. Briefing journalists, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim said the two leaders discussed bilateral issues in a cordial atmosphere and hoped that Dhaka-Kathmandu ties would be intensified in the days to come.

Dr. Fakhruddin said Nepal could use the Mongla Port as the construction of the Rupsha Bridge and the Paksey Bridge has removed obstacles in road communication. More Nepali students can take the opportunity of higher studies in Bangladesh, he added.

The chief adviser thanked Nepalese Prime Minister for raising the issue of 'water security' and sharing of hydropower in this region during the SAARC Summit.

Koirala said he would take further initiatives toward establishing road link between Dhaka and Kathmandu and exploring other fields of regional economic cooperation.

He appreciated the reform steps taken by the caretaker government and hoped that the people of Bangladesh would get its benefits soon.

Dr. Fakhruddin also paid a courtesy call on Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at his hotel suite here on Wednesday. The Press Secretary said both the leaders held talks in a cordial atmosphere and expressed satisfaction over the strengthening of Dhaka-Male relations day by day.

President Maumoon raised the alarming issue of sea level rise and proposed that Bangladesh and Maldives take joint initiatives to address this environmental challenge. He also suggested Dhaka-Colombo-Male air link for extending bilateral cooperation.

Besides, Dr. Fakhruddin paid a courtesy call on Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangc-huk at his hotel suite and discussed issues of mutual interests.