- The Bhutan government has decided to send the bill for ratification of the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal(BBIN) initiative for road and rail connectivity to its upper senate.
- Bangladesh,Bhutan,India and Nepal had signed a framework Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA)in June 2015 to enable movement of passenger and cargo vehicles across borders among the four countries.
- Bhutan has not yet ratified the pact for its entry to come into force.However, Bhutan has given its consent for the BBIN MVA to enter into force amongst the other 3 countries i.e. Bangladesh,India and Nepal, who have already ratified it.
- The main objective of the agreement is to provide seamless people-to-people contact and enhance economic interaction by facilitating cross border movement of people and goods.It will also improve rail and road connectivity in the region.
- Bhutan has not yet ratified the pact due to (a)Bhutan fear that there will be environmental degradation and vehicular pollution if trucks from neighboring countries are given access to Bhutan and (b)Bhutan prides itself on its carbon neutrality and preserving the environment.
