Agartala, Tripura’s Transport Minister said on Sunday that the trial run to restart the Agartala-Kolkata bus service via Dhaka, which was suspended for a year due to political turmoil in Bangladesh, is a ‘‘positive sign’’ for the northeastern state.
The Royal Maitri international bus service conducted a trial on Saturday by running a bus from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka. The Minister told reporters, ‘‘We could not accept what happened in Bangladesh over the past year. Now, after the formation of a new government through elections, the situation is changing.’’
Welcome for Royal Maitri Bus Service Restoration
The Minister said that the rule of law has been established in Bangladesh and the democratically elected government led by Tariq Rahman will maintain traditionally good relations with its neighbors. He said, ‘‘The trial conducted by the Royal Maitri international bus service to restart the Agartala-Kolkata bus service via Dhaka is a welcome and strategic move. I have learned that the Assistant High Commission office in Agartala will start issuing visas as soon as possible.’’
The Minister said that the people of Tripura have never considered Bangladesh an enemy but rather a part of the family. He expressed hope that the new government will work to enhance cooperation on all fronts, from trade and commerce to culture, for mutual benefit. The Royal Maitri international bus service has been suspended for the past year due to political turmoil in the neighboring country.
Agartala
Agartala is the capital city of India’s northeastern state of Tripura, historically serving as the seat of the former Manikya dynasty, which ruled the region for centuries. The city is known for landmarks like the Ujjayanta Palace, a former royal residence built in 1901, reflecting Indo-Saracenic architecture. Today, it is a growing urban center that blends its royal heritage with modern development.
Kolkata
Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of India’s West Bengal state and was the capital of British India until 1911. Founded as a trading post by the British East India Company in 1690, it grew into a major colonial port and later became a pivotal center for the Indian Renaissance and the nation’s independence movement. Today, it is renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage, historic architecture, and as the home of figures like Rabindranath Tagore.
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, situated on the banks of the Buriganga River. Historically known as the Mughal capital of Bengal in the 17th century, it later became a major center for the worldwide muslin trade. Today, it is a densely populated megacity renowned for its vibrant culture, historic mosques like the 17th-century Lalbagh Fort, and its role as the heart of Bangladesh’s political and economic life.
Tripura
Tripura is a state in northeastern India, historically ruled by the Manikya dynasty for centuries before merging with the Indian Union in 1949. It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including distinctive handicrafts, music, and the famous Tripura Sundari Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in Hinduism. The region’s history reflects a blend of indigenous tribal traditions and Bengali influences.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a South Asian country formed in 1971 after its independence war from Pakistan. Historically, it is part of the Bengal region, with a rich cultural heritage spanning ancient kingdoms, Mughal rule, and British colonialism. It is renowned for its vibrant arts, the world’s largest river delta (the Sundarbans), and its significant contributions to literature and music, such as Rabindranath Tagore’s works.
Royal Maitri international bus service
The Royal Maitri international bus service is a cross-border transportation link between India and Bangladesh, inaugurated in 2015. Its name, “Maitri,” meaning “friendship” in Sanskrit and Bengali, symbolizes the effort to strengthen bilateral ties and connectivity. The service primarily connects Kolkata, India, with Dhaka, Bangladesh, reviving an older route and facilitating easier travel and trade between the two nations.
Assistant High Commission office in Agartala
The Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, India, is a diplomatic mission established to foster bilateral relations, particularly with the neighboring Indian state of Tripura. It was opened following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, reflecting the close historical, cultural, and economic ties between the region and Bangladesh, and it primarily serves the needs of Bangladeshi nationals and facilitates cross-border cooperation.
