Bangladesh and India began the two-day 16th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss key bilateral trade issues, marking the second major official-level meeting between the two nations since Bangladesh's BNP government took office in February following a period of heightened tensions. A 10-member Bangladeshi delegation led by Commerce Ministry Additional Secretary Ayesha Akther is attending the session—the first since September 2023—in what is widely seen as a step toward restoring diplomatic and economic ties. Relations had severely deteriorated after the ouster of the Awami League government during the July 2024 uprising, leading to mutual trade restrictions, partial visa limitations from India, and renewed friction following deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s public appearance on August 5, despite earlier signs of thaw and unfulfilled reports of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visiting India in late August.
During the talks, Bangladesh aims to address critical commercial hurdles, including India’s anti-dumping duties on Bangladeshi jute products and various non-tariff barriers, as both sides seek to build a more conducive environment for cooperation. The discussions come against the backdrop of a significant trade imbalance: in the 2025–26 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported $1.75 billion worth of goods—primarily textile products—to India, while importing $10.96 billion in goods, consisting mainly of cotton, yarn, fabrics, and essential industrial raw materials.
Financial Mirror/AH
