The Indian government plans to develop an eastern grid consisting of 5,000 kilometers of navigable waterways connecting Bangladesh and Myanmar. This initiative aims to enhance port and waterway connectivity. The development of the eastern grid will promote regional integration and trade among the BBIN countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal).
India is collaborating with Bangladesh for dredging activities and linking its inland waterways network with neighboring ports, strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia. Bangladesh is also investing in a river corridor project to improve regional water transport facilities. The seamless connection between NW-1 (Ganga), NW-2 (Brahmaputra), and NW-16 (Barak) will create an economic corridor of 3,500 kilometers, connecting Northeast India with the rest of the country via Bangladesh. This initiative has the potential to unlock multilateral trade worth $49 billion and accelerate economic growth in eastern India.