India Planning to Connect Bangladesh’s Matarbari Port to Northeastern States

GS Paper II International Relations

Context: India Considering Proposals to Connect Bangladesh’s Matarbari Port to Northeastern States.

About the Matarbari Port

Matarbari Port

Matarbari port would be Bangladesh’s first deep-sea port capable of hosting large vessels.
Objective: To strengthen the port’s cargo-handling capacity and to facilitate logistics operations with neighbouring countries.
Funding: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), granted a $750 million loan to the Bangladesh government for the Matarbari development.
Operations: The Matarbari port is set to start operations in 2027.
Significance:
- Enhance exports to Southeast Asia and other Asian markets, improving cargo handling capabilities for international trade.
- Ease the burden on crowded ports like Chittagong.

Matarbari Port Boosts Economic Ties: The Matarbari port is expected to enhance economic ties and open up development prospects for India’s northeastern states, including Tripura.
Strategic Northeast Development Plans: Japan, Bangladesh, and India are strategically working to draw manufacturing to the Northeast.
- This joint effort aims to establish a robust industrial value chain in South Asia, focusing on exports to the Indo-Pacific markets.

Ports in India are classified as Major and Minor Ports according to the jurisdiction of the Central and State government as defined under the Indian Ports Act, 1908.
Major Ports are owned and managed by the Central Government and Minor ports are owned and managed by the State Governments.
The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 provides for regulation, operation and planning of major ports in India.
India has 12 major ports: Deendayal (Kandla), Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore (Kamarajar), Tuticorin (V O Chidambaranar), Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
- 13th Major Port (under construction) is Vadhavan Port, Maharashtra.

Deep sea ports are ports that are capable of handling large ocean-going vessels, including container ships, bulk carriers, and oil tankers.
These ports are strategically located along coastlines to facilitate international trade and transportation.

Must Read: Global Maritime India Summit 2023

News Source: Livemint