Agartala / Srimantapur, Jan 7 (TIWN): 'India is keen to develop trade and economy besides people-to-people relations with all its neighbours, including Bangladesh', union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while inaugurating the Integrated Development Complex (IDC) at Srimantapur in western Tripura along the border with Bangladesh.

"The Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to develop all types of connectivities with all neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, to boost trade, economy and people-to-people relations," Sitharaman said .

"India would construct a bridge over the Feni river to connect the northeastern state of Tripura with the Chittagong international sea port in southeast Bangladesh to accelerate trade, economy besides connectivity," she said.

Sitharaman said she would talk to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to sanction Rs.101 crore to build the bridge at the earliest.

"After construction of the bridge, Tripura would become the gateway to northeast India and southeast Asian countries," she said.

"The government has taken steps to develop road, rail, water and air connectivity with the neighboring countries. With good physical linkages, India wants to further develop all types of relations with the adjoining countries," she said.