Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman on Tuesday announced that Bangladesh will pursue diplomatic engagement rather than retaliatory measures in response to India’s recent restrictions on goods entering through land ports.
The decision follows a high-level meeting at the Secretariat with business leaders and government officials to address the emerging trade friction.
“We will not take any retaliatory steps. They’ve [India] taken this step, and we will engage [in discussions] with them,” Rahman told reporters after the meeting.
The restrictions, which notably affect garment exports, have raised concerns among Bangladeshi exporters reliant on cross-border trade.
The commerce secretary emphasised the mutual economic stakes, stating, “These limitations harm businesses on both sides of the border.”
He revealed plans to escalate discussions through established bilateral channels, including a pending request for a secretary-level meeting with Indian counterparts.
“We will point out that not only Bangladeshi businesses are being affected, but Indian businesses will also suffer. So, let’s sit together and find a solution. We have an established secretariat-level forum with India. Last week, we sent a letter requesting a meeting. Once we receive a response, we’ll know when it can be held.”
Tuesday’s meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministries of Shipping and Foreign Affairs, the NBR, Bangladesh Land Port Authority, and trade bodies such as the FBCCI and BGMEA. While specifics of the dialogue remain undisclosed, Rahman assured that policymakers would integrate business community feedback into their strategy.