NEW DELHI: India has no intention of getting itself embroiled in a trade war with Bangladesh even though the signalling from Dhaka on trade issues remains far from positive. The Indian govt reiterated on Thursday that India's recent withdrawal of the trans-shipment facility extended to Bangladesh in 2020 was meant to ease congestion at Indian ports and airports.
India has ensured that this action does not impact Bangladesh's exports to Nepal and Bhutan transiting through Indian territory. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it's important to look at the developments that have happened on the Bangladeshi side prior to India announcing these measures.
The Indian side believes that even before the trans-shipment facility was blocked by India, the interim government in Bangladesh had taken several steps that threatened to disrupt trade ties. The decisions to shut the three land ports with India and also to block yarn imports were all taken in March. Dhaka's decision to "tighten vigilance" at the Benapole Customs House in January was also seen as a restrictive move. Bangladesh knitwear manufacturers have already warned govt that the decision to block yarn imports will prove to be suicidal for apparel exporters.
"Our announcement regarding trans-shipment in no manner impacts Bangladesh's exports to Nepal and Bhutan. We do have in mind that regional trade needs to be promoted. We have continued to call for constructive and positive engagement in our relationship with Bangladesh," the ministry of external affairs spokesperson added.
Amid a series of anti-India statements and actions by Dhaka that bordered on trade hostilities, PM Narendra Modi had urged Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in their recent meet in Bangkok to avoid rhetoric that could vitiate the atmosphere.
While looking to restrict trade with India, the interim govt has also resumed direct trade with Pakistan. Bangladesh agreed in Feb to purchase 50,000 tonnes of Pakistani rice through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan.
Amid reports of increasing radicalisation in Bangladesh, the revival of Dhaka's ties with Pakistan, which India sees as the fountainhead of global terrorism, has been of particular concern to Indian authorities. To start with, Pakistan is reported to be looking for opportunities to boost its exports to Bangladesh. There has been a dramatic renewal of high-level contacts between the two countries after decades with Pakistan foreign secretary Amna Baloch set to visit the Bangladesh capital on Thursday and foreign minister Ishaq Dar the next week.
India has ensured that this action does not impact Bangladesh's exports to Nepal and Bhutan transiting through Indian territory. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it's important to look at the developments that have happened on the Bangladeshi side prior to India announcing these measures.
The Indian side believes that even before the trans-shipment facility was blocked by India, the interim government in Bangladesh had taken several steps that threatened to disrupt trade ties. The decisions to shut the three land ports with India and also to block yarn imports were all taken in March. Dhaka's decision to "tighten vigilance" at the Benapole Customs House in January was also seen as a restrictive move. Bangladesh knitwear manufacturers have already warned govt that the decision to block yarn imports will prove to be suicidal for apparel exporters.
"Our announcement regarding trans-shipment in no manner impacts Bangladesh's exports to Nepal and Bhutan. We do have in mind that regional trade needs to be promoted. We have continued to call for constructive and positive engagement in our relationship with Bangladesh," the ministry of external affairs spokesperson added.
Amid a series of anti-India statements and actions by Dhaka that bordered on trade hostilities, PM Narendra Modi had urged Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in their recent meet in Bangkok to avoid rhetoric that could vitiate the atmosphere.
While looking to restrict trade with India, the interim govt has also resumed direct trade with Pakistan. Bangladesh agreed in Feb to purchase 50,000 tonnes of Pakistani rice through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan.
Amid reports of increasing radicalisation in Bangladesh, the revival of Dhaka's ties with Pakistan, which India sees as the fountainhead of global terrorism, has been of particular concern to Indian authorities. To start with, Pakistan is reported to be looking for opportunities to boost its exports to Bangladesh. There has been a dramatic renewal of high-level contacts between the two countries after decades with Pakistan foreign secretary Amna Baloch set to visit the Bangladesh capital on Thursday and foreign minister Ishaq Dar the next week.
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