Washington takes the view that linking key Indian, Bangladeshi, and Myanmar transit hubs would create tremendous opportunity for the US.
“The United States has a tremendous opportunity to encourage physical connectivity by expanding port and “last mile” connectivity across the Bay of Bengal region,” US State Department Assistant Secretary Nisha Desai Biswal said.
She made a testimony before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday.
Nisha said connectivity would help shape regional regulatory architecture through regional trade and transit agreements and reduce non-tariff trade barriers throughout South Asia.
The invitation extended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to all SAARC top leaders demonstrated his firm commitment to strengthening India’s ties with its immediate region.
“That’s good news for India and the region, and greatly beneficial to global stability,” she added.
The United States welcomed the new Modi government’s efforts to strengthen SAARC, Nisha said.