Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday requested the Ambassador of Bhutan to consider re-joining the BBIN initiative, which would pave the way for sub-regional cooperation in connectivity. The Foreign Minister also proposed exploring import of 'Pragati Industries'-made Jeep from Bangladesh. Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh Rinchen Kuentsyl met the Foreign Minister at his office and discussed the issues of mutual interest. Dhaka, Delhi agree on using non-lethal weapons to ensure zero border killing: FM Dr Hasan recalled the support from Bhutan from Bangladesh during the War of Liberation in 1971 and recognition to Bangladesh, on 6th December 1971, even before our final Victory on 16 December 1971. He noted that Bhutan has made inspiring progress in its socio-economic development under the able leadership of the Fourth and Fifth Kings. Dr Hasan expressed happiness on the existing relations with Bhutan. Cargo vessel movement between India's Maya and Rajshahi's Sultanganj begins He emphasized further collaboration between the two countries in the areas of power, trade and commerce, connectivity, education, agriculture, health and people-to-people contacts etc. The Foreign Minister stressed early signing of the MoU on power between Bangladesh and Bhutan as well as developing trilateral arrangement with India and Bhutan regarding generation and trading of power. The Bhutanese Ambassador congratulated Dr Hasan for his appointment as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.  The Bhutanese Ambassador expressed his deep appreciation for the importance Bangladesh places on the bilateral relationship. Swiss Ambassador holds ‘positive and constructive’ discussion with Foreign Minister He appreciated the wholehearted cooperation extended by Bangladesh, which is very much appreciated by the Government of Bhutan. He lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the development achieved under her guidance during the last 15 years. As a neighbor, Bhutan takes pride of Bangladesh’s recent achievements, he added. The Bhutanese Ambassador hoped that Bangladesh's continued development would pave the way for achieving the vision of "Sonar Bangla" soon, as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Recalling the commitments made at the highest level for implementation of the four-country BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA), the South Asian countries have expressed their desire to sign the MoU at the earliest to give momentum to the implementation. Representatives of three of the countries - Bangladesh, India and Nepal - met on the BBIN MVA was held at New Delhi on March 7-8.  Bhutan participated in the meeting as an observer, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.  READ: BBIN pact to boost Bangladesh-Nepal ties: Momen The delegates agreed on specific steps and timelines to expedite and finalise the passenger and cargo protocols for the implementation of the BBIN MVA.  The meeting was held to discuss the passenger and cargo protocols that are essential to operationalise the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) for the regulation of passenger, personal and cargo vehicular traffic between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, signed in June, 2015. The agreement waqds   This is the first meeting of the group since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The last meeting was held in February 2020 in New Delhi. During the meeting an enabling MoU to be signed by India, Bangladesh and Nepal for implementation of the BBIN MVA by the three countries, pending ratification of the MVA by Bhutan was finalised.  The Indian delegation was led by Smita Pant, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs while Bangladesh delegation was led by A.T.M. Rokebul Haque, Director General (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The Nepalese delegation was led by Keshab Kumar Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.  The Bhutanese observer team was led by Thinley Norbu, First Secretary, Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi. The countries emphasized the importance of operationalising the BBIN MVA expeditiously to enable seamless movement between them for facilitating trade and people-to-people contact.  Operationalising the MVA by concluding the passenger and the cargo Protocol will help realise the full potential of trade and people to people connectivity between the BBIN countries by fostering greater sub-regional cooperation. Asian Development Bank provided technical and knowledge support to the meeting.

Bangladesh, Bhuan, India and Nepal have agreed upon the need to expeditiously finalise the Passenger and Cargo Protocols for implementation of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) on Saturday.

BBIN (Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal) Chamber of Commerce has been launchedrecently aiming at fostering connection among the partnered countries.