AMN /
Prime Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina today jointly inaugurated the second Integrated Checkpost of Petrapole-Benapole on the India Bangladesh western border through video conferencing. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also linked to the videoconferencing from Kolkata.
Dedicating the key land border checkpost, which covers over 50 per cent of India-Bangladesh bilateral trade, to the people of India and Bangladesh, Mr Modi said it is a milestone in the journey of both countries towards increased economic development and prosperity.
Reiterating the close link between economic development and connectivity, Mr Modi said, the checkpost, which offers immigration, customs and border security clearances in a single window, will facilitate more economic integration and connectivity between the two countries and in the region.
He said, 7 land customs stations along India’s international border are being upgraded to Integrated Checkposts with the aim of boosting connectivity in the sub-region and enhancing people-to people contacts. Mr Modi praised Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in the fight against militancy and reiterated that India stands solidly behind Bangladesh at this critical time with all assistance in the fight against terrorism.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her address termed the opening of the ICP as another special and memorable day for Bangladesh and India and said it will open up a new horizon in bilateral co-operation in the region.
The opening of the second Integrated checkpost on the India-Bangladesh border is a clear indication of the importance that both countries give to connectivity, increased trade and enhanced people to people contacts. It is a symbol of the message of shared prosperity between the two countries that Prime Minister Modi gave during his visit to Bangladesh in June last year.
Integrating immigration, customs and border security clearances in a single window, and containing a whole lot of infrastructure necessary for quicker passenger and cargo processing, the key land border checkpost is bound to give a boost to trade and people-to people contacts between the two countries.