India Bars Bangladesh Jute, Fabric Imports via Land Borders Amid Strained Ties

India has tightened the screw on Bangladeshi imports further on Friday by banning imports of certain jute products and woven fabrics from Dhaka through all land routes. This came amid strained relations between the two countries.

However, a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stated that imports are only allowed through the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra.

"Import from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port on the India-Bangladesh border. However, it is allowed only through the Nhava Sheva Seaport," the DGFT said.

It also clarified that the restrictions shall not apply to Bangladesh exports to Nepal/Bhutan transiting through India. " However, re-export of the aforesaid Bangladesh Goods to India from Nepal/Bhutan shall not be allowed," it added. These amendments are regulated with immediate effect.

The goods under these curbs include jute products, flax tow and waste, jute and other bast fibres, jute, single flax yarn, single yarn of jute, multiple folded, woven fabrics or flex, and unbleached woven fabrics of jute.

Earlier Curbs on Bangladesh

New Delhi has taken measures of a similar nature against Dhaka earlier as well. On April 9, India withdrew the transhipment facility it had granted to Bangladesh for exporting various items to the Middle East, Europe and various other countries except Nepal and Bhutan.

Similarly, on May 17, India imposed port restrictions on the import of certain goods like readymade garments and processed food items from the neighbouring country.

The measures came against the backdrop of the controversial statements made by the head of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, in China. Yunus had described India's northeastern states as a "landlocked region with no access to the ocean" during a speech in China recently. New Delhi has viewed this comment as an attempt to undermine the region's connectivity and status and slapped new sanctions.

Reportedly, India is also looking to review its Ganga Waters Treaty with Bangladesh, which is due to expire in 2026.