Tokyo plans Bay of Bengal connectivity ahead of Bangladesh PM's visit

Ahead of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's four-day Japan visit, Tokyo diplomatic sources announced plans for an industrial value chain connecting northeast Indian states with the Bay of Bengal.

The initiative centers on the Japan-funded Matarbari deep-sea port in Bangladesh, which Prime Minister Rahman is expected to seek financial support for during 2026-31.

Japanese officials modeled the project after the Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam developmental corridor to enhance regional economic growth and connectivity across neighboring countries.