Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The unexpected resignation and departure of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following violent protests have severely disrupted trade between India and Bangladesh. Hasina, who began her fifth term earlier this year, fled Dhaka aboard a military aircraft, landing in India.
The political upheaval has brought trade at the Changrabandha border check post in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district to a near standstill. “We estimate that about $300 million worth of export trade has been affected due to the political crisis in Bangladesh. We export about $30 million to Bangladesh every day,” said Ajay Sahai, Director-General of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO).
Bangladesh is a crucial trade partner for India, being its largest in the subcontinent and fourth-largest export destination. However, the turmoil has halted exports almost entirely, with numerous trucks stranded at the border and the movement of people with visas drastically reduced.
“Export has come to a standstill. Many trucks are stuck and even the movement of people with visas has minimized now,” noted Indian exporter Dhiraj Guha. Another businessman added, “Indian import is happening but export is completely stalled and many of our trucks are stuck.”
The crisis threatens to delay a potential free trade agreement between the two nations, negotiations for which began in October last year. Local businesses in Indian states bordering Bangladesh are also feeling the pinch. Shopkeepers, transporters, and money changers report over an 80% decline in their business activities.
“The movement of people across the border is decreasing with every passing day. We have been sitting the whole day and are not getting any passengers to ferry to the nearest station,” said Sanjay Das, an auto rickshaw driver at the Petrapole border check post in West Bengal’s Bongaon district.
The impact is also felt at the Akhaura-Agartala border check post in Tripura, a significant trade point. “Earlier, we used to receive 15 trucks of fish imports daily. Other items would range from about 35 trucks. But today, only one truck of fish and two trucks of other items have entered. There is almost no trade happening and it is hurting us financially,” explained Titan Das, a goods handler.
Despite the severe disruptions, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed optimism, suggesting the situation might not persist for long.
The unfolding political crisis in Bangladesh continues to reverberate across the region, significantly affecting economic activities and trade along the India-Bangladesh border.
