MEA: First-ever container cargo from Kolkata via Chittagong port reaches Agartala

New Delhi: The first-ever container cargo from Kolkata via Bangladesh's Chittagong port has reached Agartala, the external affairs ministry said on Thursday (July 23), terming it a "historic milestone" in the Indo-Bangladesh connectivity and economic partnership.

Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya had last week flagged off the first trial container ship from Kolkata carrying cargo meant for Agartala that reached the city via the Chittagong port.

MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said it will help in further development of the northeastern region.

"Another historic milestone in India-Bangladesh connectivity & economic partnership as the first ever container cargo from Kolkata via Chittagong port reaches Agartala. This will help in further development of the north eastern region," he said in a tweet.

India and Bangladesh have enhanced cooperation in shipping and inland water trade in the recent years.

Under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, in addition to the six existing Ports of Call, five more in each country have been added recently, the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement last week.

A Port of Call is a place where a ship stops during a voyage to enable the loading and unloading of cargo.

Dredging of inland waterway routes is ongoing under a pact signed by the two countries on development of fairway in selected stretches of Bangladesh waterways, with the Government of India bearing 80% of the project expenditure and the balance being borne by the neighbouring country, it said.

Cruise services have also commenced between the two countries, promoting tourism and people-to-people contacts, it said.

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• MEA
• economic partnership
• external affairs ministry
• historic milestone