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India Opens PM Gati Shakti Port to Boost Trade with Bhutan, BD
A cutting-edge waterways terminal in Assam's Jogighopa, strategically located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River, was inaugurated by Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday. This terminal, part of India's ambitious PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, is set to strengthen trade ties between India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
The terminal, whose foundation was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021, has been completed in record time and will serve as a key port for trade between India and Bangladesh. A Shipping Ministry statement described it as one of the flagship ports in the region.
Bhutan's Commerce Minister, Lyonpo Namgyal Dorgi, was also present at the inauguration. The terminal's strategic location, 90 km from Bhutan’s Gelephu and just 100 km from the Bangladesh border, is expected to act as a catalyst for regional trade and economic growth. The port is positioned to handle an annual cargo volume of 1.1 million tonnes, further enhancing connectivity and economic collaboration.
Minister Sonowal highlighted the terminal's transformative potential, emphasizing its role in facilitating trilateral trade and advancing Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. He stated, "The Jogighopa terminal will significantly boost connectivity in the region, acting as an economic multiplier for India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh."
On the occasion, Minister Sonowal flagged off the MV Padma Navigation II, which departed with 110 tonnes of coal from Jogighopa to Bangladesh, marking the port's first international shipment. The terminal’s opening is poised to enhance economic integration and foster deeper trade relations across South Asia.