Tripura critical to India-Bangladesh ties: India\`s New Envoy

India's new envoy to Bangladesh_ Vikram Doraiswami_ called upon Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Saturday and discussed ongoing projects related to connectivity_ trade and people-to-people contact in the northeastern states. Vikram Doraiswami has visited Tripura and a number of connectivity projects between India and Bangladesh before his scheduled arrival in Dhaka today. The Northeast of India is "central" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "stronger_ resilient and modern" India_ and "Tripura is the gateway of the Northeast"_ he told reporters after meeting Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Saturday. That was the reason behind why he decided to meet Deb who is known for being close to the Bangladesh prime minister and has good ties with Bangladesh_ reported Indo-Asian News Service of India. "As we develop our relationship with Bangladesh_ our most important neighbouring country_ it is going to be of great value to both the countries if our connectivity_ travel_ trade and people to people ties grow. To achieve this_ Tripura is critical_ that's why I am here_" Doraiswami said. Vikram Doraiswami_ who succeeds Riva Ganguly Das as the Indian envoy in Bangladesh_ also visited the under-construction India-Bangladesh 12.23 km railway project along Agartala. After holding a meeting with the diplomat_ Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb tweeted: "Held a fruitful meeting with India's High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh_ Shri @VDoraiswami." He also said he "extensively discussed various contours of India-Bangladesh relations and how Tripura can contribute towards strengthening the bond between the two nations." Subsequently_ Doraiswami tweeted: "An honour and a privilege to meet Hon CM Biplab Kumar Deb and get his specific and clear guidance for the Mission ahead. Inspired by his strong advocacy of the closest India-Bangladesh ties!" After meeting with the Tripura Governor Ramesh Bais_ he tweeted that the governor's guidance was most welcome. "Sustained interest in Tripura in the best possible ties with Bangladesh." Doraiswami joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1992. Until recently_ he served as additional secretary in-charge of International Organisations and Summits at the Ministry of External Affairs. Meanwhile_ former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das left Dhaka for Delhi on Friday after serving for one-and-a-half years as envoy in Dhaka. She will join as Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs. Before leaving Bangladesh_ she tweeted_ "Goodbye Bangladesh. Wish to thank everyone for their cooperation in making it an extremely productive tenure. Taking back many fond memories of the warmth and hospitality."