Agartala, February 21, 2026: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday described the ties between India and Bangladesh as historic and inseparable, while reacting to the resumption of the Agartala–Dhaka Maitree bus service.

The Chief Minister said the two neighbouring countries are bound by deep historical and spiritual bonds and “cannot function without each other.” He expressed satisfaction over the restart of the cross-border bus service, calling it a positive step towards strengthening people-to-people contact and regional cooperation.

Incidentally, the Agartala–Dhaka Maitree bus service is set to resume after remaining suspended for several months. The service on the Agartala–Dhaka–Kolkata route had been halted from September 2024 due to an unstable political situation in Bangladesh. According to official sources, the decision to suspend operations at that time was taken purely in the interest of passenger safety.

With the political situation in Bangladesh now returning to normalcy following the formation of a new government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the visa process between the two countries has also been simplified, paving the way for smoother cross-border movement.

Commenting on the developments, Chief Minister Manik Saha said democracy has been restored in Bangladesh through elections and a new government has taken charge. “An atmosphere of happiness is being observed across Bangladesh, and this sense of positivity is also reflected among the people of Tripura,” he added.

The resumption of the Maitree bus service is expected to boost connectivity, trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Tripura and Bangladesh, further reinforcing the age-old ties between the two nations.