To review the progress of bilateral development projects on a regular basis a new mechanism will be created by India and Bangladesh, with five such ventures, including an oil pipeline and three cross-border rail links, set to be completed in 2021.

On Tuesday, during foreign secretary Harsh Shringla’s meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, the setting up of the high-level monitoring mechanism to review ongoing projects was discussed, said external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.

The monitoring mechanism will be jointly chaired by the Indian envoy in Dhaka and the Bangladesh foreign secretary, people familiar with the developments said. It will be on the lines of a similar mechanism India has created with Nepal, the people said on condition of anonymity.

During the meeting, Hasina and Shringla who made an unannounced two-day visit to take forward the bilateral relationship, also discussed about the India’s developmental assistance for Bangladesh and connectivity and power projects. Shringla also delivered a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Hasina.

“Several of these projects, including the Rampal Maitree power plant, India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, and rail links between Akhaura-Agartala and Chilahati-Haldibari and Khulna-Mongla rail line are expected to be completed next year,” said Srivastava.

Bangladesh appreciated India’s proposal to launch a travel air bubble between the two countries with limited flights for official, business and medical travellers, said Srivastava.

Covid-19 related assistance also have been provided to Bangladesh by India, and organised capacity-building courses for Bangladeshi medical personnel following the video conference of SAARC leaders and creation of the SAARC Emergency Response Fund. Bangladesh has committed $1.5 million for the fund.

“In the last few years, India and Bangladesh have amicably resolved complex issues, including the land and maritime borders, and have taken several initiatives to boost connectivity and trade, including commencement of movement of Indian cargo from Agartala to Kolkata via Chattogram, expansion of the scope of the protocol that governs trade and transit on inland waterways, India’s gifting of 10 locomotives to Bangladesh, and introduction of parcel and container train services between the two countries,” Srivastava said.

In discussing specific initiatives in key areas of mutual interest, Shringla’s visit was useful and also reflected the priority that India accords to Bangladesh as part of its “neighbourhood first” policy, he added.