India has reportedly paused railway projects in Bangladesh, which were intended to provide connectivity to northeast states through Bangladesh and is planning alternative routes to ensure stability and strategic security in the region. The decision has been attributed to political turmoil and the safety of labour in Bangladesh. The move comes amid worries about the situation in the neighbouring country, especially with anti-India voices being emboldened under the current regime, with calls for closer ties to Pakistan and China.
Major projects like Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link, which is already under construction, and Khulna-Mongla Rail Link are likely to be affected by the decision even as Bangladesh is pivoting towards China and Pakistan at the cost of its current relationship with India which has seen good cooperation when it comes to regional connectivity, especially through railways and waterways. The Dhaka-Tongi-Joydebpur rail expansion is another project that will be affected by this move. Experts suggest these projects would cost around Rs 5,000 crore. Sources say five other planned projects have also been put on hold.
India-Bangladesh ties took a massive hit after Bangladesh’s interim government’s Chief Advisor, Md Yunus, commented on the northeast and invited China to expand in the region. Since then, India has withdrawn transhipment rights for Bangladesh, and Dhaka has halted the import of yarn from India. Rail connectivity projects have been actively pushed by India to improve regional connectivity, and the cooperation between the two countries that saw progress in the last few years has suffered due to the current instability and anti-India statements, including calling for Chinese expansion in the region.
