Bangladesh considers as a "test case" its decision to allow India use its territory to carry goods to Tripura and its outcome would decide the fate of other transit proposals between the two neighbours.
Bangladesh agreed to allow Ashuganj as a new port of call in response to India's request for transporting heavy consignments for the proposed Palatana Power Project in Tripura during Foreign Minister Dipu Moni's recent trip to New Delhi.
"We consider allowing India transit once as a test case and its result will decide the fate of other proposals floated earlier by New Delhi," an unidentified senior official was quoted as saying by the New Age newspaper.
The report said once this decision was implemented successfully, Bangladesh would then move with other proposals for transit of various modes for India.
The two countries are scheduled to sign a deal on Indian access to the Ashuganj port in May 2010.
During talks between Moni and her counterpart SM Krishna, India also agreed to facilitate transit between Bangladesh and its landlocked neighbours, Nepal and Bhutan.
India has been pressing for transit routes through Bangladesh, which shares borders with its north eastern states, to carry goods from one part of India to another and has offered to invest in transport infrastructures here.
