Overview

• Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, has called for a joint economic strategy involving Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s northeastern states, emphasizing regional interdependence.
• The proposal builds on the October 2024 Bangladesh-Nepal-India Tripartite Power Sales Agreement, which facilitates the transfer of 40 MW of Nepali hydropower to Bangladesh via Indian transmission lines.
• Yunus highlighted plans for a 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, which will serve patients from Nepal and Bhutan, as part of broader regional healthcare collaboration.
• Discussions included expanding direct road links to lower trade costs and ease the movement of goods and people across borders, fostering connectivity.
• Nepal’s Deputy Speaker Indira Rana expressed strong interest in deepening economic ties and enhancing educational exchanges, noting the presence of over 2,700 Nepali students in Bangladesh.