“These proposals can be submitted to governments and other authorities for consideration where necessary. It was emphasised that urgent attention to transport connectivity was crucial for the economic exchanges,” a statement issued by the Track Two grouping of foreign policy think-tanks of the four countries at the end of their sixth three-day meeting here said.

Agreeing to expanding cooperation in a calibrated manner, the BCIM grouping suggested concerned institutions in the four countries cooperate with one another in a working group to prepare a feasibility study of multi-modal transport links from Kunming in China to Kolkata in India through Bangladesh and Myanmar for consideration by governments.

Multinational financial institutions could be approached for the multi-modal transport links, the statement said.

It also proposed improved air links between the four countries by introducing flights between Dhaka, Guwahati, Kolkata, Kunming and Mandalay (Myanmar) as well as other cities of the region.

It was agreed that the lead country for each subject would change every two years. For the next meeting, Bangladesh will be responsible for trade, Myanmar for tourism, India for organization and China for transport, it said.

According to the statement, each country shall designate a liaison institution and a specific liaison officer to ensure effective implementation of the suggestions made in the statement. Such details are to be communicated by the four sides within two months from March 31 it added.

Noting there was abundant potential for development of tourism sector in the four countries, the statement said specific steps should be planned to make this known to tourists and tour and travel operators in Bangladesh, India, China and Myanmar. The Indian side to arrange a meeting of tour operations in the region, it added.

The Forum agreed to organise a car rally from Kunming to Kolkata in the next one year and the lead in this regard will be taken by the Chinese side. Member-countries of the grouping decided to help secure necessary clearance and requisite support from governments and other organizations.

Bangladesh will host the next meeting of the BCIM, according to the statement.

The Centre for Policy Research in India, the Centre for Polic Dialogue in Dhaka and the Institute for Chinese Studies are among the members of the BCIM.