New Delhi, India – Ahead of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s expected month-end Japan visit, diplomatic sources in Tokyo have told The Hindu that they are planning to create an “industrial value chain” that will connect northeast Indian states with the Bay of Bengal region via Chittagong’s Matarbari deep-sea port, which Japan has been funding.
In exclusive remarks shared with The Hindu, a senior diplomatic source in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Matarbari port can “transform” Bangladesh into an industrial hub and enhance regional connectivity. “The Matarbari Port holds the potential to transform Bangladesh into a regional industrial hub,” said the source. The port is in focus as PM Rahman is likely to seek Japanese financial support for 2026-31 for a number of projects, including the Matarbari industrial, port, and commercial hub. As part of the preparation, Rahman visited Matarbari in August, where he was briefed about the further requirements of the project.
Once completed, the Japan-backed port will be the only deep-sea port in Bangladesh, which currently relies on Singapore, Colombo, and other ports in Malaysia for big ships. Japanese diplomats have envisioned Matarbari port as part of an industrial value chain that would connect the seven northeastern states with the Bay of Bengal and the Southeast Asian regions through Bangladesh. Japan has supported a similar industrial value chain that connects Bangkok with Cambodia and Vietnam. “A model to emulate is Bangkok, which led regional economic growth through its ports and the Southern Economic Corridor,” said the official, referring to the Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam developmental corridor project assisted by Japan.
This connectivity project has been cited by Japanese diplomats as a success they would like to replicate around Matarbari to enhance connectivity among Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh. The Matarbari deep-sea port has received funding from JICA, and much of the work was carried out during the Sheikh Hasina period, when India-Bangladesh relations were relatively smooth, making connectivity projects feasible. During that time, the Maitri Bridge, which connected Tripura over the Feni river, was built, opening possibilities of connectivity between northeast India and Chittagong and Matarbari ports. However, the Maitri bridge remains non-operational as India-Bangladesh relations have been hit by political uncertainties. Japanese officials, however, have been largely positive about long-term India-Bangladesh dynamics and said, “Enhancing connectivity from Bangladesh to northeast India and neighbouring countries will further reinforce the utility of this port.”
The Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh had earlier announced that Prime Minister Rahman had received an invitation from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to visit Japan for four days. The visit is yet to be officially announced by either side, but The Hindu has learnt that the bilateral agenda for the visit is being finalised, and the Maheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative is part of the agenda.
