The research was to be held in October-November, this year.
NIO Director S W Naqvi confirmed that the expedition has been kept on hold but refused to give details.
India and Bangladesh had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) following which Indo-Bangladesh collaboration in marine sciences had been initiated. A team of scientists from the NIO was to head to the Bay of Bengal in October-November on Research Vessel Sindhu Sadhana. The cruise was to involve 29 scientists – 10 from Bangladesh and 19 from India.
Sources said that the Bangladesh Navy has been holding the file pertaining to the Indian scientists’ presence in the EEZ. “NIO is still waiting for the permission from Bangladesh Navy,” sources said.
The MoU envisaged joint research in Bay of Bengal oceanography and multi-disciplinary oceanographic cruises in the northern Bay of Bengal.
for hands-on training for Dhaka University (DU) staff and students on oceanographic data and sample collection, analysis and interpretation.
The broad objectives of the joint cruise was to impart training to students, researchers and young faculties of DU in the collection of oceanographic data and samples onboard Sindhu Sadhana.
