The much-hyped “Simanta Haat” or “Border Haat” initiatives, launched in 2011 to improve livelihoods along the Bangladesh-India border through small-scale legal trade and stronger people-to-people relations, have ground to a complete halt.
Government officials and local residents say operations at the border haats slowed sharply during the coronavirus pandemic before coming to a complete stop after the political changeover in Bangladesh in August 2024.
India’s one-sided operational policies and discriminatory treatment of Bangladeshi traders have also contributed to the abrupt closure, they said.
The interim government, which took charge after the fall of the Awami League during the popular uprising, took no initiative to reopen the markets. There has also been no visible move from the BNP government formed after the February general election.
Highlighting this standstill, Farhana Islam, deputy secretary at the FTA Branch of the Ministry of Commerce, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “The Border Haat programme was ongoing. However, it was suspended after 5 August 2024 due to special circumstances. At present, there are no discussions regarding any initiative to restart it.”
An additional secretary from the same ministry, speaking anonymously, echoed this sentiment, adding, “It is impossible to reopen these without developing new bilateral relations. That is why the government is not moving forward with them at this time.”
Despite being heavily promoted as vital for the border economy before launching, the initiative has failed to achieve its desired success.
Reflecting on this, former ambassador M Humayun Kabir told TIMES, “Border markets operate in many countries worldwide to maintain a friendly environment along borders. In addition, these markets contribute significantly to border trade.
“However, the Bangladesh-India border haats have not been utilised to their full potential,” he said.
Kabir noted that while both fragile economies initially saw a positive trend in trade and diplomacy, the closed markets should be reopened to restore normal communication and trade, though significant challenges remain following the BJP’s rise to power in West Bengal.
Purpose of border haats
Established to allow border residents to easily buy and sell daily necessities, border haats aimed to create legitimate small-scale trade opportunities while curbing smuggling.
The initiative sought to boost border community incomes by establishing markets for local cottage industries and agricultural produce, particularly in remote regions with limited employment.
Furthermore, these haats were envisioned to foster vital social and cultural relations between the populations of both countries, ultimately delivering a positive impact on the local economy.
How border haats launched
During the Awami League government’s tenure, seven border haats were successfully launched along the Bangladesh-India frontier, falling short of the original plan to establish 22.
According to the FTA Branch of the Ministry of Commerce, the first historic market opened on 23 July 2011 at the Baliamari-Kalaichar border, connecting Kurigram’s Rajibpur with Meghalaya’s Ampati district. This milestone was followed on 24 April 2012 by the Dolura-Balat border haat between Sunamganj and India.
The expansion continued in Meghalaya with the Sayedabad-Nalikata border haat, linking Tahirpur in Sunamganj with Nalikata.
In January 2015, the focus shifted to the Tripura border with the inauguration of the Radhanagar-Krishnanagar haat in Chhagalnaiya, Feni.
By June 2015, the Tarapur-Kamalasagar market launched, connecting Kasba in Brahmanbaria with Tripura’s Agartala region.
Sunamganj saw further growth with the Baganbari-Rinku border market, established between Doarabazar and India.
While several other markets subsequently opened along the Meghalaya and Tripura borders, no similar initiatives are operational along Bangladesh’s border with Myanmar.
In terms of commerce, these bilateral markets permitted the transaction of 69 different types of locally produced commodities.
Among these, Bangladeshi traders were approved to sell 37 specific products, which consisted primarily of local agricultural produce, traditional handicrafts, and light industrial goods to boost the frontier economy.
Covid pandemic, political crisis trigger haat closure
In 2020, almost all border markets were temporarily closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although some reopened on a limited scale later, operations never fully normalised due to stringent health regulations, heightened border controls, and mounting administrative complications.
The situation deteriorated further after the Awami League government fell on 5 August 2024, triggering sharp diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India.
This instability directly impacted frontier commerce, creating severe security risks and a breakdown in administrative coordination.
Consequently, the markets ground to a halt, exemplified by the official closure of Feni’s Chhagalnaiya border haat on 22 October 2024.
Amid escalating tensions, local administrations lost the impetus to maintain operations, leading to a total shutdown of all remaining haats.
‘Discrimination’ in management
From the outset, allegations of unilateral control and discriminatory behaviour by India plagued the border haats. Despite policies dictating joint management, operations were largely dictated by Indian authorities.
Furthermore, while Bangladeshi buyers moved freely, Indian buyers faced strict regulations from their security forces.
Weighing scales at Indian gates ensured no Indian buyer purchased more than five kgs of goods from Bangladeshi traders, whereas Bangladeshi buyers faced no such restrictions, purchasing far greater quantities from the Indian side.
Ataur Rahman, a trader at the Feni border haat, confirmed this disparity, noting that Bangladeshi traders faced rigorous searches and strict product restrictions, while rules for Indian traders were applied far more laxly.
This persistent discrimination gradually discouraged Bangladeshi traders from participating.
Mutual trust and mended ties needed to restart
Analysts suggest that the border markets served as an effective example of ‘people-to-people diplomacy’ between the two nations.
Despite prevailing political tensions, these markets played a vital role in maintaining economic links between ordinary citizens.
However, under the current circumstances, local frontier communities are facing significant financial losses due to the collapse of this trading framework.
According to experts, an administrative decision alone will not suffice to reopen the border markets; it will fundamentally require the restoration of political trust and a normalisation of mutual relations between the two countries.
