India Implements Import Restrictions on Bangladeshi Goods Amid Trade Tensions

India has recently imposed import restrictions on various products from Bangladesh, including ready-made garments and processed foods, in response to similar measures taken by Dhaka. The new regulations limit imports to specific ports and require mandatory inspections. This move follows a series of trade disputes between the two nations, including Bangladesh's halt on Indian yarn and rice exports. The situation has escalated following political unrest in Bangladesh, leading to a change in government. This article delves into the implications of these restrictions and the current state of India-Bangladesh relations.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 18, 2025, 10:20 IST

New Import Regulations from Bangladesh

On Saturday, India announced new import restrictions affecting various products from Bangladesh, including ready-made garments and processed foods, as a countermeasure to similar actions taken by Dhaka.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued a notification stating that imports of ready-made garments from Bangladesh will now be restricted to the Nhava Sheva port in Maharashtra and the Kolkata port in West Bengal.

Shipments arriving at these ports will undergo mandatory inspections, as reported by a source.

Additionally, India has placed restrictions on specific Bangladeshi exports at all land customs stations and integrated check posts in states such as Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, as well as at Changrabandha and Fulbari in West Bengal.

Products such as processed foods, carbonated drinks, cotton waste, and wooden furniture will not be permitted through these land customs stations.

The restrictions also extend to plastic and PVC finished goods, with exceptions for certain industrial inputs like pigments and dyes.

However, imports of fish, liquefied petroleum gas, edible oils, and crushed stone from Bangladesh will remain unaffected. Furthermore, Bangladeshi exports to Nepal and Bhutan passing through India will not be impacted by these restrictions.

This development follows Bangladesh's decision on April 13 to halt Indian yarn exports via land ports, and on April 15, it also ceased Indian rice exports through integrated checkpoints at Hili and Benapole in West Bengal.

The relationship between India and Bangladesh has deteriorated since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and sought refuge in India on August 5 amid significant protests against her government.

Shortly thereafter, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, assumed leadership of Bangladesh's interim government.