India Bans Jute Imports from Bangladesh Via Land Routes

• India has banned the import of certain jute products and ropes from Bangladesh through all land routes, with immediate effect, in a move that reflects a deepening strain in bilateral relations.
• The ban, issued through a notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), permits these imports only through the Nhava Sheva Seaport.
• The measure follows a series of similar restrictions imposed by India in recent months, which have targeted various textile products and transhipment facilities for Bangladesh.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 11th Aug: In a move that shows the growing strain in bilateral ties, India has banned the import of certain jute products and ropes from Bangladesh through all land routes with immediate effect. According to a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), these imports will now only be allowed via the Nhava Sheva Seaport.

The ban applies to a specific list of goods, including bleached and unbleached woven fabrics of jute, twine, cordage, rope, and jute sacks and bags. This is the latest in a series of trade restrictions imposed by India, which have included curbs on jute fabrics in June and ready-made garments and processed food items in May. Earlier, in April, India had also withdrawn a transhipment facility it had granted to Bangladesh for exporting goods to various countries.

The recent measures have been linked to controversial statements made by Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, during a visit to China. The comments reportedly did not sit well with New Delhi and drew sharp criticism from political leaders across India. Relations between the two countries have further deteriorated following a series of attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, which the Indian government believes Yunus has failed to contain.

Bangladesh is a significant competitor to India in the textile sector. The total trade between the two countries stood at USD 12.9 billion in 2023-24. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, India’s exports to Bangladesh were valued at USD 11.46 billion, while imports were USD 2 billion.