Agartala, July 29: Continuing the tradition of strengthening friendly ties with neighbouring Bangladesh, Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday sent the state’s famous seasonal pineapples as a goodwill gift to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The consignment was dispatched through the Akhaura Integrated Check Post near Agartala. The ceremonial handover was attended by Secretary of the Tripura Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Apurba Roy, Director Dr. Phanibhushan Jamatia, Consultant Dr. Rajiv Ghosh, Santanu Debbarma, Land Ports Authority of India official Debashish Majumdar, and other government officials.

Officials from the Assistant High Commission of India in Chattogram, including Consul Officer Pankajjyoti Das and Officer Sajeeb Chakraborty, were also present during the handover.

After completing the necessary customs and documentation formalities at the Integrated Check Post, the pineapple consignment was formally handed over by Agriculture Secretary Apurba Roy and other officials at the international border. The gift was then transferred from the Indian vehicle to a Bangladeshi vehicle for onward delivery.

Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Secretary Apurba Roy said that the gesture comes shortly after Bangladesh sent mangoes as a goodwill gift to India. He expressed hope that the exchange of seasonal fruits would further strengthen the cordial and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Director of Agriculture Dr. Phanibhushan Jamatia informed that the consignment consisted of Tripura’s renowned Queen variety pineapples. A total of 100 packets, containing six pineapples each, were sent, making the total consignment 600 pineapples.