Pakistan’s cargo ship will soon reach Bangladesh’s Mongla Port in 53 years.
By allowing Pakistani ships to dock at its ports, Bangladesh’s interim government is sending a clear message to India. The erstwhile Sheikh Hasina government had given India access to Bangladesh’s Chittagong and Mongla Ports to bolster sub-regional connectivity.
Pakistan flagged carrier vessel, loaded with 25 metric tonnes of rice, left Karachi’s Qasim port a few days ago and is expected to anchor at Chittagong Port this week, according to persons familiar with Pakistan-Bangladesh ties. After unloading 60% of the cargo (rice) at Chittagong, the vessel with the remaining quantity of rice will move towards Mongla, claimed one of the persons.
A government-to-government deal was inked at the beginning of the last month to import 50 MT of Basmati rice through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).
Diplomats at the Dhaka-based Pakistan high commission are penetrating key Bangladesh institutions, including the legal system and courts, to secure the release of terrorists. This has not just put Bangladesh’s security at risk but has also jeopardised India’s regional security interests.