Bangladesh Cabinet approves draft agreement allowing India to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports

The Bangladesh cabinet has approved the draft of the proposed agreement allowing India to use its Chittagong and Mongla seaports for transporting goods to and from its landlocked north-eastern states. However, only Bangladeshi vehicles and vessels will be used to carry the goods inside Bangladesh and a tracking system will be used to monitor the cargo moving through Bangladesh. According to the draft, the agreement will be effective for a period of five years with a provision for automatic renewal for another five years. Meanwhile, either of the countries can scrap the agreement after giving a six-month notice.