By Tripura24.in Bureau
AGARTALA | July 29, 2026: Continuing the cherished tradition of cross-border seasonal fruit diplomacy between neighboring regions, the Chief Minister of Tripura, Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha, today sent a special consignment of state-grown, premium-quality pineapples as a goodwill gift to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman. The diplomatic gift shipment crossed the international border on Wednesday afternoon through the Akhaura Integrated Check Post (ICP) near Agartala.
The ceremonial handover at the zero point of the border follows an earlier diplomatic gesture from the Bangladesh leadership, who had sent fresh mangoes to the Tripura Chief Minister a few weeks prior.
High-Level Administrative Coordination at Zero Point
Following the completion of necessary customs clearances and administrative paperwork at the Land Port Terminal, senior officials from the Tripura government formally presented the pineapple packages to representatives of the Assistant High Commission of India in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
The high-level delegation present at the Akhaura border from Tripura included:
- Shri Apurba Roy, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Tripura.
- Dr. Phanibhushan Jamatia, Director of Agriculture & Horticulture.
- Dr. Rajib Ghosh and Shri Santanu Debbarma, Departmental Consultants.
- Shri Debasish Majumder, Official from the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), Tripura.
Receiving the consignment on behalf of the Indian Assistant High Commission (Chittagong Branch) were Assistant Consular Officer Pankaj Jyoti Das, official Sanjib Chakraborty, and accompanying diplomatic staff. Upon completion of formalities, the packages were safely transferred from Indian transport vehicles into Bangladeshi transport units at the Zero Point.
”A few weeks ago, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh sent us a lovely gift of seasonal mangoes. In reciprocation and as a gesture of warmth, Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha has sent these sweet, state-grown pineapples. Such ongoing goodwill exchanges play a vital role in nurturing our shared historical ties, deepening mutual respect, and further sweetening bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh,” Agriculture Secretary Apurba Roy stated at the Akhaura ICP.
600 Pieces of Premium ‘Kew’ Variety Dispatched
Detailing the technical specifics of the consignment, Agriculture Director Dr. Phanibhushan Jamatia confirmed that the state selected its prime ‘Kew’ variety pineapples—famed for their rich juice content and distinct aroma—for the diplomatic dispatch.
A total of 100 specially crafted, secure packages were dispatched, with each box containing 6 pieces, bringing the total count to 600 individual pineapples. Officials expressed confidence that such agrarian fruit diplomacy will continue to open new avenues for regional trade and goodwill
