Amid escalating political tensions between India and Bangladesh, the Indian government has tightened import restrictions on products from Bangladesh.
According to Yonhap News and foreign media on May 18 (local time), the Indian Ministry of Commerce announced that India has banned the import of Bangladeshi garments and processed foods via land routes. In addition, imports of Bangladeshi cotton products, fruits, certain types of plastics, and wooden furniture through specific ports have also been designated as restricted items.
These import restrictions took effect immediately upon announcement, and the Indian government did not disclose any specific background or reasons for their implementation.
The Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo expressed concern over the move, stating, "While land exports usually take three days, maritime transport takes more than two weeks," and warned that Bangladeshi exporters would suffer significant losses. Currently, India is Bangladesh's third-largest trading partner.
Foreign media analyzed that this measure could affect Bangladeshi exports to India worth about $770 million (approximately 1.08 trillion won), which accounts for around 42% of Bangladesh's exports to India.
India has historically maintained close ties with Bangladesh, having actively supported Bangladesh's war of independence, and Bangladesh has relied economically on India since its independence.
However, relations between the two countries have recently deteriorated. Diplomatic friction intensified after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned amid public criticism following a bloody crackdown on student protests in July last year, fled to India.
The Bangladeshi interim government requested India to extradite former Prime Minister Hasina in order to proceed with a trial on charges of crimes against humanity, but this request was not accepted.
Recently, the Bangladeshi interim government applied anti-terrorism laws to ban all activities of the former ruling party, the Awami League, led by Hasina, and revoked its party registration. As a result, Hasina is effectively barred from running in future general elections.
In this regard, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated, "We are concerned about the shrinking of political freedom and space in Bangladesh," while the Bangladeshi side strongly protested, calling it an "internal matter."
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