Lok Sabha Question No. 2057 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: Promotion of Trade Investment
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO-2057

## ANSWERED ON- 02/08/2024

## PROMOTION OF TRADE INVESTMENT

## 2057. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether   there   have   been   improvements   in   transportation   and communication infrastructure  connecting  India   with   its   neighbouring countries, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote trade and investment with neighbouring countries, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)   whether   there   are   any   infrastructure   projects   in   neighbouring countries that showcase India's cooperation efforts and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a)  There  have   been   substantial   improvements   in   transportation   and communication   infrastructure   connecting   India   with   neighbouring countries. These improvements have been achieved inter-alia through the following steps:
- (i)   Bangladesh: Khulna-Mongla Port rail line project, Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail line, waterways, Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), Air

links-   Presently   117   flights   are   operating   weekly   between   India   and Bangladesh connecting various Indian cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai,   and   Chennai   to   Dhaka   and   Chittagong;   and   ongoing development of port infrastructure.

(ii)   Bhutan:   Both   sides   have   agreed   to   establish   the   first   set   of Integrated   Check   Posts   (ICPs)   between   India   and   Bhutan   at Jaigaon(West Bengal)-Phuentsholing (Bhutan) and Dadgiri (Assam) and Gelephu (Bhutan). In the 12 th Five Year Plan (FYP) of Bhutan, Government provided a grant assistance of  Rs 5000 crore for executing projects, including infrastructure projects, in a wide range of sectors.

(iii) Nepal: Integrated Check Posts along the India - Nepal Border (viz. ICP Nepalgunj, ICP Bhairahawa); railway lines - (Jogbani - Biratnagar railway link and Jaynagar - Bardibas rail link). For improvement of the energy connectivity-   a   Multi-Product   Pipeline   from   Motihari,   India   to Amlekhgunj, Nepal has been commissioned in 2019 (in phase-I).

(iv) Myanmar: Establishment of  border connectivity projects including the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and India - MyanmarThailand Trilateral   Highway   project,     Integrated   Check-Post   (ICP)   at Tamu,  establishment of Border Haats.

(v) Maldives: Total of  45 weekly flights operating between India and Maldives. In addition, an India-Maldives Shipping Service handling cargo

is   also   operational   between   the   ports   of   India   and   Maldives   since September 2020.

(vi) Sri Lanka: Both Indian and Sri Lankan sides have been working to improve the transportation facilities between the two countries. Flight services were started between Chennai-Jaffna sector in 2019 and the ferry   services   were   launched   between   Nagapattinam   (India)   and Kankesanthurai (Sri Lanka) in October 2023.

(b) Government has taken several steps to promote trade and investment with neighbouring countries under the Neighbourhood First policy. These include   inter-alia   Market   Access   Initiative   (MAI)   Scheme   and  Trade Infrastructure for Export (TIES) Scheme. MAI scheme aims to enhance exports through accessing new markets or through increasing the share in the existing markets. TIES scheme provides assistance for setting up and up-gradation of  infrastructure projects with overwhelming export linkages.   Further   steps   taken   by   the   Government   include   inter-alia signing of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), establishment of   Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting on trade, transit and cooperation,   Long   Term   Power   Trade   Agreement   with   Nepal,   and establishment of a modern Integrated Check-Posts, border haats with some of the neighbouring countries. Government has also supported a range   of   development   projects   under   various   modalities   in   the

neighbouring   countries.  In   the   regional   cooperation   platform   Bay   of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) consisting of neighbouring countries, several initiatives have been   undertaken   to   promote   intra-regional   trade   and   investment including the negotiation of the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement.

(c) There are several infrastructure projects in neighbouring countries that showcase India's development cooperation efforts. These include:

(i) Afghanistan: Parliament building, India-Afghanistan friendship dam.

(ii)   Bangladesh   Infrastructure   Development   for   Power   Evacuation Facilities of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant

(iii)   Bhutan:   Punatsangchhu   Hydroelectric   project   and   Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project

(iv)   Nepal:   Koshi   Corridor   Transmission   Line   Project,   National   Police Academy and various road projects

(v) Maldives: National College of  Policing and Law Enforcement, Gan International Airport project, Hanimaadhoo International Airport (vi) Mauritius: ENT Hospital, Supreme Court Building, Metro project (vii) Sri Lanka: Indian Housing Project, Jaffna Cultural Centre, railway sector projects

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