,The Indian government has imposed land port restrictions on certain Bangladeshi exports to the northeastern states, aiming to restore “equality in the relationship”, sources told ANI. On Saturday evening, India imposed immediate port restrictions on several categories of goods from Bangladesh, following a directive from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
According to the sources, India had previously allowed unrestricted exports from Bangladesh while Bangladesh limited transit and market access to India’s northeast. The new measure is seen as a step towards ensuring equal market access for both countries.
Sources indicated that India limiting readymade garment imports from Bangladesh to only two seaports—Kolkata and Nhava Sheva (Mumbai)—mirrors Bangladesh’s own trade restrictions on Indian yarn and rice. Bangladesh had also selectively enhanced inspections on Indian exports.
The restrictions include limiting imports of readymade garments from Bangladesh to the Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports, while land port entry is no longer allowed. Additional restrictions apply to importing fruit-flavoured drinks, carbonated drinks, processed foods, cotton waste, PVC, plastic goods (except industrial inputs), and wooden furniture through Land Customs Stations (LCSs) and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and West Bengal’s Changrabandha and Fulbari.
However, essential items like fish, LPG, edible oil, and crushed stone, as well as goods transiting through India from Bangladesh to Nepal and Bhutan, remain unaffected. Indian authorities hope the move will create new opportunities for local manufacturers and reinforce the strategic importance of fair trade and regional economic stability.
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