Yunus Govt Backs Down, Seeks End to India’s Land Port Ban
By Mohammad Shariful Alam Chowdhury : Facing mounting pressure after India imposed restrictions on key Bangladeshi exports through land ports, the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus has softened its stance and confirmed it will not retaliate with countermeasures. Instead, Dhaka will formally request New Delhi to lift the ban through upcoming secretary-level trade talks.
The shift comes amid growing concerns over the economic fallout of India’s ban on importing Bangladeshi garments, agro-processed foods, furniture, and other products via land routes—a trade channel that accounts for 95% of bilateral trade between the two neighbors.
Following an emergency inter-ministerial meeting held in Dhaka on Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman told reporters, “We will not take any reciprocal action. A letter has already been sent to the Indian Commerce Ministry through our Foreign Ministry, requesting a trade secretary-level meeting to resolve the issue.”
Tensions began last month when Bangladesh restricted yarn imports from India through four land ports. India responded by suspending transshipment privileges for Bangladeshi garment exports, followed by a broader import ban on May 17. According to officials, the ban threatens an estimated $770 million in trade—roughly 42% of total bilateral commerce, which stood at $10.56 billion in the last fiscal year.
Business leaders attending the meeting urged the government to immediately request a temporary suspension of the Indian restrictions for at least three months, allowing clearance of pending consignments. One participant emphasized the importance of land ports, stating that over 350,000 tons of goods entered Bangladesh through these routes in the past 10 months alone. "Using seaports is costlier," he noted, warning of heavy financial losses if the situation persists.
Analysts describe India’s trade move as harsher than U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, arguing that it poses a serious blow to Bangladesh’s fragile economy. In the face of growing pressure, the Yunus administration appears to be prioritizing dialogue over confrontation.
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