Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 17: In a notable policy reversal, India has imposed immediate restrictions on land borne imports of several Bangladeshi products—including ready made garments (RMG) and processed foods—under a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

Key measures outlined by the DGFT include:

• RMG imports: Permitted only via the seaports at Nhava Sheva and Kolkata, and banned at all land customs points.
• Processed foods & beverages: Fruit flavoured/carbonated drinks and other packaged food items barred through land routes.
• Textile waste: Cotton and cotton yarn waste imports blocked at designated land ports.
• Plastics & furniture: Finished PVC and plastic goods (excluding industrial inputs) and wooden furniture also prohibited via land.

These prohibitions apply to Land Customs Stations and Integrated Check Posts in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, as well as Changrabandha and Fulbari in West Bengal. Imports of fish, LPG, edible oil, and crushed stone remain unaffected. Additionally, goods transiting through India to Nepal or Bhutan are exempt from these rules.

The action follows Bangladesh’s April decision to ban land port yarn imports from India, and comes after New Delhi ended a trans shipment facility that had allowed Bangladeshi exports via Indian ports.

India is Bangladesh’s second largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling roughly $16?billion in 2022–23—importing about $14?billion and exporting $2?billion worth of goods. These new measures are expected to recalibrate the trade balance and fortify India’s domestic manufacturing interests.