Dhaka - Bangladesh and the state-run Indian railways signed an agreement Thursday under which a direct rail link will be operated from the Bengali New Year's Day between Dhaka and the eastern Indian city of Kolkata. Dubbed the Friendship Train by both neighbours, the service will reopen a link which was shut down more than 50 years ago amid fierce communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims.
The agreement was signed by Bangladeshi Communication Secretary Mahbub ur Rahman and India's High Commissioner (ambassador) in Bangladesh Pinaki Ranjan Chakravarty that started off the sale of rail tickets on both sides of the border.
Bangladeshis celebrate the new Bengali year on April 14.
The five-hour trip is seen as opening a new vista for bilateral cooperation in trade and tourism.
