Bangladesh-India Trade Talks Begin in Delhi Today after Three Years

The Joint Working Group on Trade meeting between Bangladesh and India has commenced in New Delhi today, Thursday, marking its resumption after a hiatus of nearly three years due to regional political tensions. The two-day session serves as a crucial platform to address longstanding commercial friction, with discussions heavily centered on tariff and non-tariff barriers, overland transport complexities, and the massive bilateral trade deficit.

A 10-member Bangladesh delegation is being led by Ayesha Akhter, Additional Secretary of the FTA Wing under the Ministry of Commerce. The delegation comprises representatives from various key state bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Railways, National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Land Port Authority, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, and BSTI.

A primary focus for the Bangladeshi side is pressing India to review or withdraw anti-dumping duties currently imposed on Bangladeshi jute yarn, sacks, and other jute products. Furthermore, the talks aim to resolve recent trade restrictions that emerged after Bangladesh restricted Indian yarn imports through specific land ports in 2025, which prompted retaliatory restrictions from India on Bangladeshi garments, processed foods, and plastics.

The staggering bilateral trade deficit will also be a central point of evaluation during the negotiations. According to National Board of Revenue data for the 2025-26 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported goods valued at 1.75 billion US dollars to India while importing goods worth 10.96 billion US dollars, leaving Bangladesh with a substantial trade deficit of approximately 9.21 billion US dollars.

Although India remains Bangladesh’s second-largest source of imports for vital industrial raw materials like cotton and fabrics, officials confirmed that the highly anticipated Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is not on the current agenda. Instead, both nations are strictly prioritizing the immediate normalization of bilateral trade, the facilitation of smoother cargo transport, and the removal of operational bottlenecks.