India on Friday banned imports of certain jute products and woven fabrics from Bangladesh through all land routes, permitting entry only via the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra, amid increasingly strained relations between the two nations.The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), in a notification, said “Import from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port on the India-Bangladesh border. However, it is allowed only through Nhava Sheva seaport.” It added, “Imports of certain goods from Bangladesh to India are regulated with immediate effect.”The restricted items include jute products, flax tow and waste, jute and other bast fibres, single and multiple jute yarns, woven fabrics of flax, and unbleached woven fabrics of jute, PTI reported.The DGFT clarified that these restrictions will not apply to Bangladeshi goods transiting through India to Nepal and Bhutan. However, re-exports of these products from Bangladesh to India via Nepal and Bhutan will not be allowed.This move marks the third such curtailment in recent months. On May 17, India imposed similar port restrictions on imports from Bangladesh, including ready-made garments and processed food items. Earlier on April 9, the government withdrew transshipment facilities previously extended to Bangladesh for exports to the Middle East and Europe, with exceptions made only for Nepal and Bhutan.The fresh restrictions come against the backdrop of controversial remarks made by Bangladesh’s interim head of government Muhammad Yunus during his visit to China—comments that drew criticism from Indian political leaders across party lines.Tensions have escalated in recent months as India expressed concern over Yunus’ failure to curb attacks on religious minorities, especially Hindus. The issue was reportedly discussed at a meeting of a parliamentary committee on Friday, which also flagged Bangladesh’s growing proximity with China and Pakistan, according to sources as quoted by PTI.Bangladesh is a significant competitor to India in the textile sector. Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $12.9 billion in 2023–24, with India’s exports at $11.46 billion and imports at $2 billion.
