Indian traders will be affected by curbs on Bangladesh imports via land ports: commerce advisor

India’s recent ban on the import of at least seven categories of goods, including ready-made garments and processed food products, through land ports from Bangladesh will negatively impact Indian traders, according to Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, the advisor pointed out that bilateral trade skews heavily in favour of India. He said Bangladesh will raise the issue with India through discussions, considering the current trade imbalance.

“We will certainly present our position and work to resolve these issues,” said Bashir Uddin.

“Indian traders will be affected by this measure. We are two geographically connected countries. This is part of the trade management process. Both sides can reach a suitable resolution through dialogue. Several of our land ports are still open.”

On Saturday, India imposed a new restriction banning the import of certain Bangladeshi products through land borders. The move is expected to create significant hurdles for Bangladeshi exporters.

According to the order issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, no garment products from Bangladesh may enter India via land ports.

Instead, Bangladeshi garments must now be routed exclusively through seaports at Kolkata and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai.

The restriction also applies to products such as fruit and fruit-flavoured beverages, carbonated drinks, baked goods, chips, snacks, confectionery, cotton and yarn waste, PVC and other plastic products, and wooden furniture.

These items will not be allowed entry into India through any land customs station or integrated check post in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, or Mizoram, nor through the Changrabandha and Fulbari land customs stations in West Bengal.

India’s move comes about a month after Bangladesh imposed a ban on the import of Indian yarn through land ports. The Indian Ministry of Commerce said that the new ban would take immediate effect.

Analysts have noted that the measure was even stricter than the high tariffs the United States has imposed on Chinese goods.

When asked about the ban, Bashir Uddin said: “I’ve seen it on social media. I’ve heard of some decisions related to local land ports, particularly along the Akhaura and Dawki borders. We’ll be able to make a decision once we receive formal communication. For now, we will take stock of the matter.”