India Sanctioned Funds for Railway Link with Bangladesh
- The government of India has sanctioned Rs 580 itwc fov the vital tail link Aganala (India -Akhaura (Bangladesh) railway project on Feb 9, 2016. The 1650 km distance between Agatiala and Kolkata would be reduced to only 550 km once the new rail track is linked through Bangladesh.
- Tire Agaitala-Akhauia railway project would provide a major boost to development and economy of the northeastern region of India and Eastern Bangladesh. The project would also boost Prime Minister Natendva Modi’s Act East policy.
- Indian External Affairs Ministty would provide necessary funds for the Bangladesh portion of the Aganala- Akhaura rail project whereas the Development of North- Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry’s funds would be spent for the Indian portion of the project.
- It was finalised in January, 2010 when Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during her visit to New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi also discussed the over Rs 1000 crore railway project with Hasina during his visit to Dhaka in June, 2015.
India and China Hold First Joint Tactical Drill on Border
- The border troops of India and China held their first one day joint tactical exercise ‘Sino-India Cooperation 2016′, in the Chushul-Moldo area along the Northern border on February 7, 2016.
- As previously agreed by both countries, the exercise focussed on actions to he coordinated to tackle jointly aspects of humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
- This is part of the ongoing initiatives taken by India and China to ensure greater interaction between troops stationed along the Line of-Actual Control, and thereby ensure peace and tranquillity along the border.
- The 30-member Indian Army team was led by Colonel Ritesh Chandra Singh, while the Chinese delegation with an equal strength was led by Colonel Qu Yi.
- This exercise complements the Hand-in-Hand scries of India-China Joint Exercises and the recently conducted joint exerdise in Sikkim.
