No ‘retaliatory steps’ will be taken over India’s land port restrictions, says commerce secretary

Bangladesh will not take retaliatory measures despite India restricting the entry of certain Bangladeshi goods at land ports, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman has said.

He said this following a meeting with secretaries from several ministries and leaders from key business organisations at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

The Indian government suspended imports of at least seven categories of goods from Bangladesh through the land ports, including processed food products and garments.

The meeting was held to determine Bangladesh's response to the situation.

Speaking after the meeting, the commerce secretary said: “We sat with stakeholders and business leaders and took their views on the matter [on Tuesday]. We will try to ensure the situation does not get worse.”

He said the authorities will now hold a discussion with policymakers and advisors.

 “We will not take any retaliatory action. Instead, we will try to engage with them.”

Terming the Indian curbs harmful to businesses on both sides, Mahbubur said a secretary-level meeting between the two countries would be held to find a path to a solution.

 “There is an established secretarial-level forum between Bangladesh and India. We sent a letter last week requesting a meeting. Once we receive a response, we’ll know when the meeting can take place.”