The Yunus government, through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), ordered the cancellation of the agreement.
India’s plan to improve mobile internet connectivity in its northeastern states has suffered a major setback, as Bangladesh’s interim government has reportedly canceled the “bandwidth transit” agreement that was previously approved. As per a Daily Star report, Bangladesh’s internet regulator has decided to scrap the plan to serve as a transit point for supplying bandwidth to India’s northeastern states, citing concerns that it could undermine and weaken the country’s potential to become a regional internet hub.
Bangladesh makes another big move, cancels deal with India to…., it may affect internet services in….
Last year, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) approached the telecom ministry for permission after Bangladeshi companies Summit Communications and Fiber@Home submitted a proposal to supply high-speed bandwidth from Singapore to India’s northeastern region. The plan involved routing the bandwidth through the Akhaura border in collaboration with Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel, aiming to bolster connectivity in the region.
Earlier on December 1, the Yunus government, through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), ordered the cancellation of the agreement, reported Live Hindustan. The BTRC stated that the transit facility offered no economic advantage to Bangladesh while significantly benefiting India’s digital connectivity. However, this decision appears to be influenced by more than just economic considerations, with ongoing bilateral tensions being identified as a key factor behind the move.
Companies like Summit Communications and Fiber@Home are considered close to Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. Summit Communications’ chairman, Mohammad Farid Khan, is the younger brother of Faruk Khan, a senior leader and MP from the Awami League. The Yunus government has made this decision to reduce the influence of these companies and strengthen its own position.
Summit Communications and Fiber@Home are known to have close ties with Sheikh Hasina’s party, the Awami League. Mohammad Farid Khan, the chairman of Summit Communications, is the younger brother of Farik Khan, a senior leader and Member of Parliament from the Awami League. The Yunus government took this step to diminish the influence of these companies and consolidate its own position.
Over the past few months, relations between the two countries, India and Bangladesh, have been deteriorating. Notably, Bangladesh witnessed Sheikh Hasina’s ouster amid students’ protests turned into a massive anti-government movement, followed by the establishment of an interim government. During this turbulent period, several incidents of violence and chaos, particularly targeting minorities, including Hindus, have been reported from Bangladesh. Yunus was sworn in on August 8 as the head of an interim government after Sheikh Hasina fled the country and the parliament was dissolved. Under Yunus’ leadership, violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has continued unabated. Despite repeated protests, the Yunus government has failed to stop the ongoing violence against Hindus.
The decision by the Yunus government could have a significant impact on the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh. India’s project aimed to enhance digital connectivity in the remote areas of the northeastern region. However, this move by the Yunus government is set to not only disrupt the initiative but also cast doubt on the future of regional cooperation.
Reference Link:- https://www.india.com/news/world/bangladesh-makes-another-big-move-cancels-deal-with-india-to-it-may-affect-internet-services-in-7449780/