Relief for fish-consuming states like Tripura and Assam, the Government of India’s new trade restrictions on imports from Bangladesh do not include fish and dry fish. This decision ensures uninterrupted supply of a dietary staple in the region despite the broader commercial ban imposed on several Bangladeshi goods.
Last Saturday, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Union Ministry of Commerce issued a notification banning a range of Bangladeshi imports. The list includes items such as potato chips, processed foods, and beverages. However, fish, dry fish, cement, and stone chips have been excluded from the ban.
The government’s notification specifically mentions land ports in Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, ensuring that critical goods continue to flow into the northeastern states. These ports, especially Agartala, act as distribution hubs, supplying goods across the region.
A senior official from the Department of Commerce stated that Bangladesh’s trade surplus from border trade with India has long cushioned its adverse trade balance. However, India has grown increasingly concerned over Bangladesh’s interim government—accused of aligning with anti-India elements and engaging diplomatically with China and Pakistan at the expense of bilateral relations.
Despite strained ties, India has allowed continued exports of ready-made garments from Bangladesh through ports like Kolkata and Mumbai, signaling India’s preference for regional cooperation over economic confrontation.
Across the border, there is growing discontent among Bangladeshi exporters, especially in Sylhet, over their interim government’s policies. Many blame the recent trade restrictions on the provocative actions of the ruling authorities. “The current government has miscalculated its diplomatic stance, and the consequences are now visible,” said Md Hafizullah, a prominent businessman from Sylhet.
Industry experts emphasize the need for diplomatic recalibration to avoid long-term economic fallout and restore traditional trade flows that benefit both nations.
