The Government today said that India is the largest export partner of Bangladesh; more so than Japan and China. Speaking at exploring new trade routes, India's North East to the Bay of Bengal via Bangladesh Transit Agreement in Agartala, joint secretary (Bangladesh and Myanmar) in the ministry of external affairs Ms Smita Pant said that the neighbouring country's export has touched a new high from 450 million US dollars to 2 billion US dollars.

She said the Agartala-Akhaura rail link project is almost complete on the Indian side and will be inaugurated by the end of this year. She said the work is under progress on the Bangladesh side, adding that it will be the seventh rail link connecting India with the neighbouring country.

The other five operational railway lines between the two countries are Petrapole to Benapole, Gede to Darshana, Singhabad to Rohanpur, Radhikapur to Birol and Haldibari to Chilahati. The seventh rail line will be connecting Assam.

Ms. Pant said, apart from trade and investment, the Government's Act East Policy is premised on connectivity and strong people to people ties.