Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeast is a captive market | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 10, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025
Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeast is a captive market

South Asia

Hindustan Times
19 May, 2025, 07:35 am
Last modified: 19 May, 2025, 07:40 am

Related News

  • Air India jet's fuel switches in focus, as crash preliminary report nears
  • Indian textile stocks surge as US slaps 35% tariff on Bangladesh exports
  • Relief for rupee after India left out of US tariff hike; Asia shrugs off Trump move
  • Family members of Indians deported into Bangladesh seek return, lodge police diary
  • Detained in Delhi days ago, 'Bengal family' of three pushed into Bangladesh

Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeast is a captive market

New Delhi imposed restrictions on imports of ready-made garments and other goods from the neighbouring country

Hindustan Times
19 May, 2025, 07:35 am
Last modified: 19 May, 2025, 07:40 am
Representational image. Photo: Collected
Representational image. Photo: Collected

Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeastern states are a captive market for its exports while denying the region market access, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday after New Delhi imposed restrictions on imports of ready-made garments and other goods from the neighbouring country.

India on Saturday restricted imports of ready-made garments (RMG) from Bangladesh only to Kolkata and Nhava Sheva ports and barred imports of a range of consumer goods through 13 land border posts in the northeast and West Bengal in response to restrictions adopted by Dhaka. The move on RMG is expected to have a significant impact on Bangladesh as its annual exports of these items to India are worth about $700 million.

"Bangladesh needs to realise that it cannot cherry pick terms of bilateral trade solely for its benefit, or assume the northeastern states are a captive market for its exports, while denying the region market access and transit," one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The land port restrictions imposed by India on select exports from Bangladesh to the northeast through a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Saturday is expected to restore equality in the relationship, the people said. While India had so far allowed all exports from Bangladesh without restrictions, transit and market access to the northeastern states had been restricted by the Bangladeshi side, they said.

The latest measure by India "restores equal market access for both countries", especially since Bangladesh has been seeking equality in engagement with India, the person said.

RMG imports from Bangladesh were restricted to the two sea ports of Kolkata and Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, as a response to Bangladesh imposing similar trade restrictions on Indian yarn and rice, and selectively enhancing inspection of all Indian exports, the people said. The trade relationship with Bangladesh will be on reciprocal terms, they added.

In the context of Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus playing up the landlocked status of the northeastern states during a visit to China last month, the people noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised that these seven states are integral to the Bimstec grouping. The equal market space now available in the resource-rich northeastern states is expected to give a fillip to manufacturing and entrepreneurship in the region under "Atmanirbhar Bharat" schemes and policies, they said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's de facto commerce minister Sheikh Bashir Uddin told reporters in Dhaka on Sunday that trade with India will continue in the interest of consumers and businesses of both countries.

"We have not yet received any official communication from the Indian side. Once we do, we will take appropriate steps. If any issues arise, both sides will work to resolve them through discussions," he said, referring to India's restrictions on imports from Bangladesh.

Bashir Uddin said the Bangladeshi side had only learnt about the matter from social media and media reports.

"Not everything we export is affected. A large portion of our exports comes from the garment sector. Our main focus remains on achieving competitiveness. Trade is beneficial to both countries. India has a strong textile industry, yet they import our products based on our capabilities," he said.

He expressed optimism that trade with India will continue as it is in the interest of consumers and producers on both sides.

Bangladesh / Economy / Top News

India / RMG Export

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • In terms of stream of education, girls maintained their excellence as well. Photo: TBS
    Lowest SSC pass rate in 17 years as over 6 lakh students fail
  • BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while speaking at a discussion at National Press Club on 10 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    'Backbone of economy will break': Fakhrul says govt should've worked seriously with more qualified people on US tariffs
  • National Consensus Commission chief Ali Riaz speaks at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital’s Bailey Road on 10 July 2025. Photo: Collected
    Chief justice appointment: Consensus reached on two key issues, says Ali Riaz

MOST VIEWED

  • Graphics: TBS
    BB raises startup fund limit, drops upper age barrier
  • Workers pack undergarments at the packing section of a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 19, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Fatima Tuj Johora
    After US tariffs, jobs hang by a thread in Bangladesh's garments sector
  • Global Islami Bank rectifies 2023 figures, reports Tk2,259cr loss instead of Tk128cr profit
    Global Islami Bank rectifies 2023 figures, reports Tk2,259cr loss instead of Tk128cr profit
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Audit reports of most banks contain cooked up data: BB governor
  • File photo of containers at Chattogram port/TBS
    US buyers push Bangladeshi exporters to share extra tariff costs
  • CA orders law enforcers to complete all election preparations by December
    CA orders law enforcers to complete all election preparations by December

Related News

  • Air India jet's fuel switches in focus, as crash preliminary report nears
  • Indian textile stocks surge as US slaps 35% tariff on Bangladesh exports
  • Relief for rupee after India left out of US tariff hike; Asia shrugs off Trump move
  • Family members of Indians deported into Bangladesh seek return, lodge police diary
  • Detained in Delhi days ago, 'Bengal family' of three pushed into Bangladesh

Features

Illustration: TBS

Behind closed doors: Why women in Bangladesh stay in abusive marriages

1h | Panorama
Purbachl’s 144-acre Sal forest is an essential part of the area’s biodiversity. Within it, 128 species of plants and 74 species of animals — many of them endangered- have been identified. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS

A forest saved: Inside the restoration of Purbachal's last Sal grove

1h | Panorama
Women are forced to fish in saline waters every day, risking their health to provide for their families. Photo: TBS

How Mongla’s women are bearing the brunt of rising salinity

23h | Panorama
Dr Mostafa Abid Khan. Sketch: TBS

Actual impact will depend on how US retailers respond: Mostafa Abid Khan

2d | Economy

More Videos from TBS

SSC and equivalent results released: Pass rate 68.45%, GPA drops by 5

SSC and equivalent results released: Pass rate 68.45%, GPA drops by 5

Now | TBS Today
Islami bank aims to increase deposits to Tk 2 lakh crore by 2025

Islami bank aims to increase deposits to Tk 2 lakh crore by 2025

2h | TBS Programs
The two countries still face major challenges and mutual suspicions

The two countries still face major challenges and mutual suspicions

1h | Others
RMG sector braces for impact as US tariffs hit: Fakhrul

RMG sector braces for impact as US tariffs hit: Fakhrul

2h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net