Continuing a long-standing tradition of goodwill and cross-border friendship, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday sent the state's renowned Kew variety pineapples as a seasonal courtesy gift to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The consignment, comprising 100 packets containing a total of 600 premium Kew pineapples, was dispatched through the Akhaura Integrated Check Post near Agartala and formally handed over after completion of customs and landport formalities.

Senior officials, including Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department Secretary Apurba Roy, Director Dr. Phanibhushan Jamatia, Consultant Dr. Rajib Ghosh, Santanu Debbarma, Land Ports Authority of India official Debashish Majumdar, and other government representatives were present at the Akhaura border during the handover ceremony. 

Officials from the Assistant High Commission of India in Chittagong, including Consul Officer Pankajjyoti Das and Officer Sajib Chakraborty, also attended the occasion.

Following the completion of documentation, the pineapple consignment was transferred at the Zero Point from Indian vehicles to Bangladeshi transport for onward delivery.

Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Secretary Apurba Roy said the gesture was made in response to the seasonal mangoes recently gifted by Bangladesh. He noted that Tripura has been sending pineapples to Bangladesh every year as a symbol of friendship and mutual respect.

"We recently received mangoes from Bangladesh as a goodwill gift. As a token of gratitude and friendship, the Tripura government is sending our famous Kew pineapples. We want the people and the government of Bangladesh to know more about our high-quality pineapples so that they can gain greater recognition and expand their market in neighbouring countries," Roy said.

Director Dr. Phanibhushan Jamatia said only the state's premium Kew variety pineapples were selected for the consignment. He informed that 100 packets carrying 600 pineapples were sent this year.