SAARC meet: New Delhi for Pak-Bangla train via India, Nepal

T V Sriram

Colombo, Jul 26 (PTI) In a bid to strengthen intra-
regional connectivity and unite hearts of people of South
Asia, India has proposed a demonstration train between
Pakistan and Bangladesh via its territory and that of Nepal.

The Indian proposal for running a trial train from
Pakistan to Bangladesh via India and Nepal was welcomed by the
SAARC member states at the meeting of their Transport
Ministers here Saturday.

The ministers agreed that the objective of providing
connectivity is not just about upgrading transport links, but
to unite the hearts and minds of the people of South Asia,
officials said.

India and Bangladesh had resumed their rail service last
year after a gap of 43 years, with the run of Moitree Express
from Dhaka to Kolkata.

A war in 1965 between India and Pakistan, of which
Bangladesh was a part until 1971, stopped the cross-border
passenger train service which covers a distance of 538 kms,
with 418 kms in Bangladesh and 120 kms in India.

Train links between India and Pakistan have also been
operational.

The Indian delegation at the meeting was headed by R P N
Singh, Minister of State for Road, Transport and Railways.

The second meeting of the SAARC Ministers of Transport
Saturday was preceded by the third meeting of SAARC Inter-
Governmental Group on Transport on Friday.

Sri Lanka, being the present Chair of SAARC, presided
over the meeting, which reviewed progress in implementation of
decisions of the first meeting of SAARC Transport Ministers
held in August last year.

Minister Singh said India was conscious of its
"asymmetrical" responsibility in the SAARC and had played a
lead role in negotiations through offers of training
programmes, among other things.

New Delhi also furnished status on upgradation of
corridors identified within India and proposed new programmes
for strengthening intra-regional connectivity. PTI TVS
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