Representative picture | Photo Credit: Hind
The story so far: May 17, General Directorate of Foreign Trade has closed all ground ports with Bangladesh for the export of clothing (Readymade clothing) from Bangladesh. The order also closed the northeast ground ports with Bangladesh to limit the export of specific items from Bangladesh. This step is interpreted as a fall in the decline in relationships between the new Delhi and Dhakou. Both parties have to develop a fully functional relationship last August after the fall of Hasiny.
What is the May order?
The order that stopped the import of finished clothing from Bangladesh, said the order: “Imports from Bangladesh must not be allowed from any ground port; however, is allowed through Nhava Shev and Kolkata navy ports.” The fact that, unlike the command, it also banned fruit exports, fruit drinks, processed foods (roast goods, snacks, fries and confectionery), cotton and cotton yarn, plastic and PVC goods, except pigments, plasticers and granules and wood furniture from Bangladesh Assam. The same goods were also forbidden to join India through the ground customs stations Changrabandha and Fulbari. The order explained that the import of fish, LPG, edible oil and crushed stone from Bangladesh would remain intact.
What led India to issue this order?
India stated that the order is aimed at ensuring reciprocity in the Bangladesh trade. 13th April Bangladeshi National Income Council stated a ban on the import of cotton yarn from India through ground ports. In addition, Bangladesh also stopped the export of Indian rice through the land port of Hili in West Bengal. Indian officials also stated that Bangladesh had been performing aggressive inspections of Indian trucks over the past few months. All of these factors were taken into account when the entry of Readymade clothing through Indian ground ports. Between India and Bangladesh there are a total of 24 operational ground ports and several other crossings are being developed.
How does India justify the decision?
The order occurred immediate effect on 17 May, the officials said. However, the order and list of items are expected to be reviewed from time to time. It is not expected that the marine ports will remain open to all items from Bangladesh, as there will be mandatory checks and reviews of all items from Bangladesy balanced through Indian marine ports. The Indian Party also claimed that Bangladesh was a problem with the selection of cherry and that several comments on the best leaders indicated that they considered the “captured market” for Bangladesh products in the northeast, while Indian goods were not receiving transit. Indian officials who quoted the speech of Prime Minister Modi in the northeast reported that the northeast is an integral part of Bimstec (Bengal initiative for multi -world technical and economic cooperation). It is expected that “the same market space, which is now available in the northeast rich in resources, will give production and business in the region in the schemes and politicians atmanirbhar Bharat,” they said.
How did Bangladesh replied?
Bangladesh has not yet issued any official answer, although they expressed disappointment from record Bangladesh officials disappointing how the Indian party started this step. They said that Bangladesh was not intimated about Indian plans and that they had learned about the decision through media reports that captured traders and transporters.
The Indian accusation of Bangladesh unilaterally stopped Indian cotton yarn and export of rice, Bangladesh officials said that these steps were forced to control corruption on their side. SK Bashir Uddin’s business advisor from the Provisional Government of Bangladesh said that a preliminary review is about the impact that the Indian order on the economic prospects of Bangladesh will have. He said that in terms of furniture and agro products, the impact on Bangladesh will not be expanded, but the impact on finished garments is likely to be significant.
Will the Indian order of Bangladesh with Nepal and Bhutan affect the Indian order?
India claims that the order will not affect the Bangladeshi trade in Nepal and Bhutan. It is understood, however, that the blockade of the ground trade will naturally affect the flow of orders from Bangladesh to Nepal due to frequent disruption. The order also created a wavy effect that allows investment planners cautious before starting to Bangladesh.
Is it the decision to close ground ports part of a larger problem between India and Bangladesh?
Indian officials say that the order is a “message to Bangladesh” in response to remarks concerning the Indian northeast, which was made by the interim Chief of the Government Mohammed Yunus in China during the 26th-29 visit. March that were unacceptable. The meeting with Chinese department stores was described by prof. Yunus northeast as a “inland” region that suffers from developmental narrow mixes, and urges China to access the region through Bangladesh. Bangladesh built as an “ocean guard”, suggesting that the Bangladesh coast is available for China for the development of industrial and commercial connections with the Indian northeast. Indian officials said that the closure of ground ports (integrated control posts and customs station) is also a report for the temporary government of Bangladesh, which warmed up towards Pakistan, accused of exporting cross -border terrorism to J&K. Indian officials said the order was taken to reduce the finished clothing because it would affect the export of textiles from Bangladesh to India nearly $ 700 million. Although it is a small part of the total export of $ 50 billion from Bangladesh, it is expected that the global community will send a report on Bangladesh movements.
Published – May 25, 2025 04:20
