India has widened its ban on imports from Bangladesh through land ports, adding several jute-based products to the restricted list. The prohibited items include bleached and unbleached jute fabrics, jute twine, rope, cordage, and sacks. These goods can now only enter India via Navi Mumbai's Nhava Sheva Seaport, with re-exports from Nepal or Bhutan strictly barred.
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The restrictions apply to all Land Customs Stations and Integrated Check Posts in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and parts of West Bengal. This follows earlier curbs in June and May targeting raw jute, flax, ready-made garments, processed food, cotton waste, plastic products, and wooden furniture.
The move is expected to impact goods worth \$770 million (Rs 6,600 crore), including \$618 million in garments now restricted to Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports. Other barred items, valued at around \$153 million, include beverages, processed foods, and finished plastic goods.
India's action comes after Bangladesh, in April, banned yarn imports from India via land ports. The escalating trade restrictions highlight deteriorating relations between the two neighbours and threaten to disrupt key export channels critical to Bangladesh's economy.
Source: www.thehitavada.com
