India Eyes Mongla, Kankesanthurai Ports for Expansion
India is keen to renew discussions with the current Bangladeshi government over the operational rights of a terminal at Mongla port, the second-largest seaport in Bangladesh.
This comes as a India pushes forward with its strategic goals of enhancing regional connectivity and influence. Senior officials from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways confirmed these intentions while also highlighting the nation’s growing involvement in the development of Kankesanthurai port in Sri Lanka.
In addition to Mongla port, India is making significant strides in expanding its maritime infrastructure overseas. The country’s Ministry plans to further strengthen the role of India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL), a company formed in 2015 for overseas port development.
IPGL will play a pivotal role in managing operations maintenance, and other activities related to these international terminals. The company is set to increase its manpower as its operations expand across key ports in the region, including Mongla and Kankesanthurai.
Earlier this year, India successfully secured operational rights to a terminal of Mongla port, marking its third international port bid following Chabahar port in Iran and Sittwe port in Myanmar. The Mongla terminal is expected to significantly boost trade connectivity between India and Bangladesh, offering India an essential gateway for its goods to pass through Bangladesh. The Mongla port will be managed by IPGL, further solidifying India’s position in regional maritime trade.
Bangladesh has already granted India full access to both Mongla and Chittagong ports, underscoring the strengthening trade relations between the two nations.
In Sri Lanka, India has taken up the funding and development of Kankesanthurai port, located just 104 km from Karaikal port in Puducherry, India. The total project cost $60 million. The passenger ship service between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai port near Jaffna has been operational, covering 111 km distance in approximately 3.5 hours. This port development is seen as another critical move by India to establish stronger maritime connectivity with its regional neighbors.
By advancing its maritime capabilities, India is poised to strengthen its influence in the region, boosting trade and connectivity through its expanding port operations.