Thimphu is actively considering rejoining the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA) process soon, the foreign ministry has said.
A Bhutanese delegation conveyed the development to a meeting on the implementation of the BBIN MVA held in Dhaka on Tuesday-Wednesday.
The “Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic” agreement between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal was signed on June 15, 2015 in Thimphu, Bhutan.
All parties except Bhutan could ratify the agreement.
Bhutanese parliament blocked it temporarily to address concerns raised by its domestic stakeholders, particularly related to internal infrastructure developments.
But it suggested the other countries go ahead with the agreement.
In the Dhaka meeting, Bhutan participated as an observer.
ATM Rokebul Haque, director general (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Bangladesh delegation.
Smita Pant, joint secretary (Bangladesh and Myanmar Division) at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian side, while Bhimarjun Adhikari, joint secretary at the Nepalese Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, led the Nepalese delegation.
“All the delegates expressed hope that the BBIN MVA will open a new era for physical connectivity among the countries of this sub-region,” the foreign ministry later said.
The meeting discussed the progress made, so far, under the BBIN MVA.
The sides also discussed in detail a draft protocol for the movement of cargo vehicles under the BBIN MVA.
“Once operationalized, this framework would contribute to the economy of contracting countries not only by expanding trade and commerce but also by creating more opportunity to promote people-to-people contact, which is fundamental in promoting trust and faith among these countries.”
During these meetings, all countries expressed their sincere commitments to early implementation of the BBIN process for promoting greater regional cooperation as envisioned by the leaders.
The last meeting on the implementation of the BBIN MVA was held on March 7-8, 2022 in New Delhi, India.
