'Restrictions on Bangladesh exports restore equality, ties to be based on reciprocity'
Restrictions on Bangladesh exports restore equality
NEW DELHI: India's
land port restrictions
imposed on select exports from Bangladesh to the northeast will help restore equality in the relationship, government sources said, stressing that the measures announced by the Indian government restore equal market access for both countries. Bangladesh has itself been seeking equality in engagement with India, said a source speaking on condition of anonymity.
India had on Saturday imposed port restrictions on specified
Bangladesh exports
to India across all land customs stations (LCS)/ integrated check posts (ICP) in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, along with 2 LCS in West Bengal. This followed Dhaka's refusal to lift port restrictions on Indian exports, particularly at LCS and ICP bordering northeastern states, despite India having long raised this issue bilaterally.
'While India had hitherto allowed all exports from Bangladesh without restrictions, the transit and market access to the north east had been restricted by Bangladesh,'' said another source. India has also imposed port restrictions on imports from Bangladesh of
ready-made garments
across all land ports, allowing imports only from Kolkata and Nhava Sheva seaports. India is hoping this will boost production by Indian manufacturers for both local consumption and exports.
According to government authorities, relationship with Bangladesh will be on reciprocal terms. 'Ready-made garment exports from Bangladesh restricted to only two seaports (Kolkata and Nhava Sheva, Mumbai) is a reciprocal measure to Bangladesh imposing similar trade restrictions on Indian yarn and Rice as well as selectively enhanced inspection on all Indian goods exported to Bangladesh,'' said the source, adding that Bangladesh needs to realise it cannot cherry pick terms of bilateral trade solely for its benefit or assume northeast is a captive market for its exports, while denying it market access and transit.
PM
Narendra Modi
had recently said that the northeast is integral to Bimstec. The equal market space now available in the resource-rich northeast, according to Indian officials, is expected to give a fillip to manufacturing and entrepreneurship in the region under the
Atmanirbhar Bharat
schemes and policies.
Industrial growth in the northeastern states had taken a hit because of the imposition of unreasonably high and economically unviable transit charges by Dhaka, even as Bangladesh itself enjoyed free access to the entire northeastern market.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
13 minutes ago
- Hans India
Build strong, disaster-resilient infrastructure for future: PM Modi tells world
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underlined the importance of constructing disaster-resilient infrastructure and outlined key global priorities to achieve this goal during his address at the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, being held in Europe for the first time. Expressing gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the French government, Prime Minister Modi said, "I thank my friend President Macron and the Government of France for their support. I also extend my wishes for the upcoming United Nations Oceans Conference." Highlighting the vulnerability of coastal and island regions to natural disasters, he said, "The theme of this conference is shaping a resilient future for coastal regions. Coastal regions and islands are at great risk due to natural disasters and climate change." "In recent times, we saw Cyclone Remal in India and Bangladesh, Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, Typhoon Yagi in Southeast Asia, Hurricane Helene in the United States, Typhoon Usagi in the Philippines, and Cyclone Chido in parts of Africa. Such disasters cause damage to lives and property," he said. Recalling India's own past experiences, PM Modi noted, "India also experienced the pain during the super cyclone of 1999 and the tsunami of 2004. We adapted and rebuilt, factoring in resilience. Cyclone shelters were constructed across vulnerable areas. We also helped build a tsunami warning system for 29 countries." Emphasising India's global role, he said, "The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure is working with 25 small island developing states. Resilient homes, hospitals, schools, energy systems, water security mechanisms, and early warning systems are being built. Given the theme of this conference, I am glad to see friends from the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean here. Further, I am happy that the African Union has also joined the CDRI." He listed out global priorities that need urgent attention, starting with education and skills. "Courses, modules, and skill development programmes on disaster resilience need to become part of higher education. This will build a skilled workforce that can tackle future challenges," he said. Stressing the importance of shared learning, he added, "Many countries face disasters and rebuild with resilience. A global digital repository for the learnings and best practices would be beneficial." On financing, PM Modi stated, "Disaster resilience requires innovative financing. We must design accessible programmes and ensure developing nations have access to finance." He also called for focussed attention towards vulnerable nations. "We consider small island developing states as large ocean countries. Due to their vulnerability, they deserve special attention." Highlighting the need for preparedness, he said, "Strengthening early warning systems and coordination is crucial. This helps make timely decisions and effective last-mile communication. I am sure that discussions at this conference will consider these aspects." Concluding his address with a powerful message, Prime Minister Modi urged the international community to build infrastructure that is both resilient and inspirational. "Let us build infrastructure that stands firm against time and tied. Let us build a strong and brilliant future for the world," he said.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
Too ‘founder-y' to hire, not corporate enough to fit in: Former startup owner's candid job hunt post strikes a chord on Reddit
It's a story that doesn't get much attention, TED talks, or VC applause—but one that's becoming increasingly common. A Reddit post on r/StartUpIndia from a former Indian startup founder has opened the floodgates of empathy and brutal truth about the aftermath of a failed entrepreneurial journey . After building a health-focused food and beverage product with two friends—bootstrapping, multitasking, and learning everything from scratch—he now finds himself lost in a job market that doesn't know where to place him. 'We Built, We Burned, Now What?' The post reads like a quiet elegy to a dream that once soared. The founder speaks of wearing every possible hat—from marketing and finance to customer support and design. No AI tools then, just endless Google searches and YouTube tutorials. Despite the hustle, the venture hit a ceiling—unable to scale, with no funds left to pump in. His partners stepped away, and the founder reluctantly began job hunting, only to be met with silence or, worse, rejection for being 'overqualified,' 'too founder-y,' or 'not domain-specific enough.' The Dilemma of the 'Misfit' He's not asking for a CXO role. Just a chance to contribute—to bring the value of lived, practical experience into structured setups. But the corporate world, as netizens pointed out, often sees people like him as unsafe bets. 'They want people who can innovate within their control,' one user wrote, echoing a harsh truth. In a system that prizes predictability over potential, founders are sometimes viewed with suspicion. Netizens Share Brutal Truths and Hope The post has garnered strong, supportive reactions from fellow Redditors and professionals. One suggested looking into startups within the same industry. Another spoke about the Indian corporate system's rigidity when it comes to reabsorbing former entrepreneurs. 'You, my friend, will have to search harder,' they wrote. Yet another comment advised the path of an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR), using past mistakes as fuel for new guidance. There's also a silver lining. As one commenter noted, 'Take one skill you truly own… and share it.' Whether through learning platforms, consultancy, or new ventures, those hard-earned insights don't need to die quietly. They can be repurposed and rebranded. Because in this era of AI-led disruption and rapid change, real experience still holds immense, if underappreciated, power. The Bottom Line Not all founder stories end with acquisition, IPOs, or Forbes covers. Some end in silence, in resumes ignored, in doors half-open. But these quiet chapters deserve to be told—because they are real, raw, and deeply human. And perhaps, like the Redditor in question, others floating in the 'in-between' will find solace in knowing they're not alone.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Indian students made up one in four international students in US in 2024: ICE report
Indian students accounted for nearly 27% of all international students in the United States in 2024, according to the latest report by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The report, titled SEVIS by the Numbers 2024, shows that 4.2 lakh Indian students were actively enrolled in the US, marking an 11.8% increase from 2023. This growth helped push the total number of foreign students in the US to 15.8 lakh — a 5.3% rise over the previous year. As per a report by Lubna Kably in the Times of India, the data comes from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a tool used by the US Department of Homeland Security to track foreign students. F-1 visas are issued for academic programs, while M-1 visas are used for vocational training. Asia remained the largest source region, with nearly 11 lakh students — making up 72% of the total foreign student population. India and China were the two top source countries. While Indian student numbers rose sharply, China saw a slight decline of 0.25%, with 3.2 lakh students in 2024. The ICE report highlights that more than 90% of foreign students — about 14.3 lakh — were enrolled in higher education degree programs. California and New York were the top destinations for international students, hosting 2.37 lakh and 1.72 lakh students respectively. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) However, new data for the March 2024 to March 2025 period suggests a sharp reversal in trend. Chris R. Glass, a professor at Boston College, studied SEVIS data and reported an 11.3% drop in total active international student records. The number fell from 11.53 lakh in March 2024 to 10.22 lakh in March 2025. Live Events You Might Also Like: Columbia Crisis: Trump's crackdown sends chill through Indian students Indian student numbers dropped significantly by 28%, from 3.54 lakh to 2.55 lakh. In contrast, Chinese student numbers rose slightly to 2.63 lakh, an increase of 3.28%. Glass said, 'The current year-over-year decline is a reflection of an enrollment cycle that began under the Biden administration, so the March 2025 numbers have yet to reflect any impacts of policies implemented under the second Trump administration.' Experts point to several reasons for the recent fall in Indian student numbers — including the arbitrary termination of F-1 visas and SEVIS records, legal uncertainties, delays in consular services due to planned social media scrutiny rules, doubts about the continuation of the STEM-OPT program, and widespread layoffs in the US job market. These factors could push student numbers further down in 2026. Despite recent declines, Indian students continue to lead in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. In 2024, nearly 1.65 lakh international students received a two-year STEM OPT extension after graduation. Of these, 48% were Indian students and 20.4% were Chinese. You Might Also Like: UK tightens student visa rules: Shorter stays, stricter checks, fewer perks The number of OPT students overall also increased. About 1.94 lakh international students in 2024 had employment authorization and were working in the US under the OPT program, a 21.1% rise from 2023. These figures reflect both the growing interest of Indian students in the US and the challenges they now face amid changing visa policies and immigration uncertainties. You Might Also Like: Indian students look beyond the 'Big 4' for study-abroad dreams
