Bangladesh deep-sea port ‘Matarbari’ promises strategic anchor for Japan, India

DHAKA: A deep-sea port under construction in southern Bangladesh isshapinguptobeastrategiclinchpin for Japan and India as the Quad partners aim to counter Chinese influence.

Development of the port of Matarbari will put a Japan-backed facility just north of Sonadia, another prime location on the Bay of Bengal where China was expected to develop a port. That facility never materialized, and Dhaka reportedly droppedtheideaafewyearsago.

This is leading some pundits to declare a strategic victory for India in a South Asian great game between big powers. As India’s tag-team partner, Japanisalsoconsideredawinnerinthis scenario,thoughsomeobserversseeno game at all, only the Bangladeshi Government wringing out financial assistancewhereveritcan.

The geopolitical importance of Matarbari — Bangladesh’s first deepsea port — was evident during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida‘s visit to India in March. The port emerged as one of the key areas for his free and open Indo-Pacific agenda. The same month, the Japan International Cooperation Agency agreed to extend a fresh 165 billion yen ($1.2 billion) infrastructure construction loan to Bangladesh, on top of 38.8 billion yen already promised.

In New Delhi, Kishida said Tokyo would promote an “industrial value chain” from the Bay of Bengal to northeastern India in cooperation with both South Asian countries, “to foster the growth of the entire region.”

The port is being built in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district, including a container terminal and a coal-fired power plant. Deepening the harbor’s shallow waters will make room for huge container ships or tankers to dock, bringing in iron ore and exporting large quantities from Bangladesh’sgarmentindustry.

“Matabari port will be equivalent to the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka or Port of Singapore in terms of water depths,” said a JICA official in charge oftheproject.

Upon completion, expected in 2027, the complex will take a major load off of the country’s main Chattogram port, also known as Chittagong. In addition, it should serve as a key port for India’s underdeveloped northeastern states. Collectively known as the “Seven Sisters,” these states are landlocked by neighbors including China, MyanmarandBangladesh.

Cargo movement between NE and Chittagong port to start soon

NEW DELHI: Transit and transhipment of cargo between Northeastern India and Bangladesh using Chittagong port will start soon, the neighbouring country’s Minister of State for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhurysaidrecently.

Tripura is set to become the ‘Gateway of North East’ with access to Chittagong port of Bangladesh, which is just 70 kilometres from Sabroominthenortheasternstate,he said.

“We are ready for the start of transit and transhipment of goods between Bangladesh and the northeastern region of India through Chittagong. Trial runs were completed and all arrangements for immigration and customs formalities on the Bangladesh side are also ready,” Chowdhury told PTI. The Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO), required for the movement of cargo from Bangladesh to India, will be issued by the National Board of Revenue.