June 19, 2022
1 min read

‘Padma bridge not part of China’s BRI’

No foreign funds from any other bilateral or multilateral funding agency has financially contributed to its construction”, said official statement….reports Asian Lite News

Bangladesh has refuted “misleading” Chinese media claims that the Padma Bridge is “a major cooperation project” between Dhaka and Beijing.

In a statement on Saturday, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said: “Some quarters are trying to portray that the Padma Multipurpose Bridge which is scheduled to be inaugurated on June 25 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been constructed with the assistance of foreign funds and is a part of (China’s) Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)”.

The statement “categorically asserted” that the bridge “has been entirely funded by the government of Bangladesh and no foreign funds from any other bilateral or multilateral funding agency has financially contributed to its construction”.

“Both Bangladeshi and foreign construction firms were engaged for the implementation of the project”.

The Ministry further said that the “completion of this bridge will fulfil the long cherished dream of the nation for connecting the 19 south-western districts with the rest of the country resulting in collective prosperity, socioeconomic development of Bangladesh as well as enhanced regional connectivity”.

It also hoped “that all friends of Bangladesh will join hands in celebrating the completion of this landmark project which is all the more special since it has been done entirely by the contribution of the people and the government of Bangladesh”.

Some Chinese media reports had tried to project the 6.15 railroad bridge as a product of China-Bangladesh cooperation, hinting that it was part of BRI plans, while completely undermining the fact the project was conceived by Prime Minister Hasina long before BRI’s existence.

She laid the foundation stone of the bridge in 2001 towards the end of her first term in power and took it up with World Bank for funding when she returned to power in 2009.

Later when the World Bank raised issues unacceptable to Bangladesh, Hasina decided to the country’s largest infrastructure project with own funds.

The construction work was given to a Chinese company but the funds were from Bangladesh’s own resources, according to the Ministry

ALSO READ: India, Bangladesh hold JCC meet

Previous Story

Next few decades can be India’s, says Cameron

Next Story

The rise and fall of Gupta brothers

Latest from -Top News

Trump Warns Musk: ‘Close Shop or Go Home’

Trump’s warning on his Truth Social platform late on Tuesday (US time) came amid the feud between him and Musk over the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’….reports Asian Lite News Former US President

India-US Trade Deal Likely This Week

The interim trade deal would be an initial step towards a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement between Indian and the US….reports Asian Lite News India is expected to finalise an interim trade

One Year Later, Hasina’s Son Raises Red Flag

Hasina’s abrupt exit last August after violent student protests was widely seen as a blow to democracy in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million….reports Asian Lite News Sajeeb Wazed, son of former

Global South Finds Its Campus in India

The question is no longer if India can attract global talent, but whether it can build the conditions to do so at scale—with care and vision. Done right, India could emerge as

Jaishankar Gets Real on India-US Ties

The EAM underlined the structural drivers of the bilateral relationship, saying, “The trend line over the last 25 years has actually been very strong….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
Go toTop

Don't Miss

China’s mediatory role over Israel-Hamas conflict: Has it failed?

China looks at Israel through the prism of its relations

Dragon makes inroads in Middle East

The Middle East region, although considered remote and non-core by