India yesterday announced plans to construct the first-ever cross-border railway links with Bhutan, which will also be available for Bangladesh and Nepal to conduct trade with the Himalayan kingdom once completed. The project aims to expand Bhutan's economic ties with rest of South Asia, with India expressing full support for the initiative. When asked whether the new rail routes would enable Bhutan to conduct trade with Bangladesh and Nepal, Foreign Secretary Misri said the arrangement fits into existing Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) connectivity frameworks. "With these two new projects, Bhutan will, in a way, be connected to the Indian rail network. This means that any exports from Nepal and Bangladesh going to Bhutan will also be able to use this Indian rail connectivity, to send their exports to Bhutan and to bring Bhutan's exports here," Misri added.