POBNEWS24, Dhaka June 23, 2022 : In 2010, when plans were afoot to build the Padma Bridge with foreign funding, India pledged its full support to the project. Later, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decided to build the Padma Bridge with her own funds, India strongly supported her. This was stated by Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Vikram Doraiswamy while talking to reporters on the occasion of Padma Bridge on Tuesday evening. “We have spoken out and expressed our support,” he said.
The Indian High Commissioner said that the decision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to go ahead with the implementation of the decision to build the Padma Bridge has been proved right. Doraiswamy sees this bridge as a connection between people, emotions and culture. He said, “The construction of this bridge will bring a big change in the communication. This will also lead to economic progress. ‘
The Indian High Commissioner said, “The much-anticipated Padma Bridge will also play a role in communication between the two countries and in the sub-regional ‘Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN)’ initiative.” ”
The Indian High Commissioner lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s “unwavering and consistently courageous decision” for Bangladesh to achieve this. He said, ‘This massive infrastructure is not just brick and steel, it is a symbolic connection between the two parts of Bangladesh. It’s not just a business connection, it’s a connection between people on both sides and their emotions and culture. ‘
Vikram Doraiswamy added, “This is a great moment not only for Bangladeshis, but for all Bengalis, even Indian Bengalis. They too will celebrate this great achievement of the Government and people of Bangladesh with their brothers and sisters in Bangladesh. Congratulations Bangladesh! I congratulate every friend of Bangladesh on this important occasion. ‘
The High Commissioner said, “It was a difficult task for Bangladesh to build the bridge with its own funds. The Bangladesh government had planned to build the structure in early 2010 with foreign loans. We (India) were the first country then, we promised to support this project as much as possible. ‘
The Indian High Commissioner said, “When the Prime Minister of Bangladesh decided to build the bridge with his own (internal) funding, India once again strongly supported his decision and we loudly and publicly expressed our support. ‘
Doraiswamy said, “Not only Bangladesh and India, but also Nepal in particular will be able to enter Bangladesh faster because of the Padma Bridge and I think it will make a significant contribution to poverty alleviation programs and economic activities. ‘
Asked if the bridge would attract more Indian investment in Bangladesh, the Indian high commissioner said, “100 per cent.” Explaining this, he said, “Obviously, if communication is easy and affordable, it will be easier to grow more business in Bangladesh. ‘
