News Reporter
Guwahati– May 17:
In a significant policy shift, India has imposed new restrictions on garment imports from Bangladesh, limiting entry points to only the Kolkata and Mumbai seaports. The decision marks a major disruption to the long-standing trade dynamics between Bangladesh and India’s Northeast region, affecting hundreds of millions in cross-border commerce.
Until now, Bangladeshi garment exporters utilized various land ports across Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram for direct trade with the northeastern states. The updated directive effectively shuts down these northeastern entry points, halting the movement of garments through overland routes that have traditionally supported cross-border business worth more than $700 million annually.
The restriction is seen as a huge setback for Bangladesh’s apparel industry, which heavily relies on the Indian market — especially the geographically closer Northeast — for swift, cost-effective delivery. The move is likely to increase logistical costs, delay shipments, and pressure small and medium-sized exporters.
Indian authorities have not yet provided an official explanation for the decision. However, trade experts suggest it could be linked to logistics standardization, tighter customs enforcement, or emerging concerns about unregulated cross-border trade.
In response, Bangladeshi trade bodies and exporters are urging diplomatic engagement to resolve the issue. There are growing concerns that this restriction could hurt bilateral trade relations and disrupt established supply chains in the region.
The Northeast, previously a booming market for Bangladeshi ready-made garments, may now see a surge in prices or supply gaps, affecting both retailers and consumers in states like Assam and Tripura.