Plans to grant transit and transhipment facilities to neighbouring countries—India, Nepal, and Bhutan—appear to be delayed indefinitely, per official sources in Dhaka. An adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office noted the earlier momentum has slowed, with no significant progress in awarding such access.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has resumed oversight of the process after earlier transfers among ministries, and a technical committee meeting is expected in New Delhi in coming months. The senior commerce official said that until a transit deal with India is finalized, Bangladesh cannot unilaterally grant transshipment access to others.
For Bangladeshi media, this is a setback in regional trade integration and fulfilling promises to neighbours. For media in India, Nepal, Bhutan, the story underscores persistent connectivity challenges and the reliance on diplomacy to unlock trade corridors. It also raises expectations about when these projects might realistically move ahead, and what regional coordination is needed.