India asked Bangladesh to utilize the services of Indian Companies in executing telecom projects in the neighbouring country. New Delhi has already offered line of credit worth two billion US dollars to Dhaka and Indian companies including Tejas have successfully completed pilot projects in connecting 100 Union Parishads (Gram Panchayats) in Bangladesh and has pitched for executing 1000 such projects. This was conveyed to the visiting Bangladeshi delegation led by State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Ms. Tarana Halim, who called on the Union Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha in New Delhi .
It is to be pointed out that unlike other foreign companies operating in Bangladesh in the telecom sector, Indian companies have also offered to share technology and to impart skill training. Shri Sinha said that through technology transfer, C-DoT could help strengthening Bangladesh telecom network and rural population encouraging local manufacturing. It is to be underlined that C-DoT has recently developed technologies to build broadband infrastructure for next Generation Services and it is instrumental in designing the core enabling technology and network architecture of BharatNet-National optical Fiber Network connecting villages and panchayats of the country. Apart from this Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) is also cost effective technology for broadband penetration in rural areas.
Shri Sinha suggested to Ms Halim that there is a need for an increased number of postal surface mail exchange points between the two countries as at present surface mails are exchanged only at one point ( Petrapole-Benapole), while other exchange points like Akhaura-Agartala, Tamabil-Karimgong, Burimari-Changrabandha, and Hilli-Hilli may be considered. This was already discussed in a bilateral meeting in February this year.
Shri Sinha thanked Bangladesh for its cooperation and support in commissioning 10 Gbps internet bandwidth link via Agartala to provide internet services in the North Eastern region. It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had commissioned the services in March this year. India has suggested to Bangladesh to look into pricing part to enable BSNL procure additional bandwidth.
Both the sides stressed the need for effective cooperation considering the borderless nature of cyber threats and issues and similar challenges faced by the two countries. India suggested that a Nodal officer may be nominated from Bangladesh for effective and timely cooperation on cyber security matters.
Earlier, the Minister of Communications Shri Mnaoj Sinha strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Bangladesh and conveyed heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and wished speedy recovery for the injured. Both the sides reiterated their commitment to jointly fight the menace of terrorism.