Latest news with #Bimstec
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'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.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeast is a captive market
New Delhi: Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeastern states are a captive market for its exports while denying the region market access, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday after New Delhi imposed restrictions on imports of ready-made garments and other goods from the neighbouring country. India on Saturday restricted imports of ready-made garments (RMG) from Bangladesh only to Kolkata and Nhava Sheva ports and barred imports of a range of consumer goods through 13 land border posts in the northeast and West Bengal in response to restrictions adopted by Dhaka. The move on RMG is expected to have a significant impact on Bangladesh as its annual exports of these items to India are worth about $700 million. 'Bangladesh needs to realise that it cannot cherry pick terms of bilateral trade solely for its benefit, or assume the northeastern states are a captive market for its exports, while denying the region market access and transit,' one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. The land port restrictions imposed by India on select exports from Bangladesh to the northeast through a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Saturday is expected to restore equality in the relationship, the people said. While India had so far allowed all exports from Bangladesh without restrictions, transit and market access to the northeastern states had been restricted by the Bangladeshi side, they said. The latest measure by India 'restores equal market access for both countries', especially since Bangladesh has been seeking equality in engagement with India, the person said. RMG imports from Bangladesh were restricted to the two sea ports of Kolkata and Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, as a response to Bangladesh imposing similar trade restrictions on Indian yarn and rice, and selectively enhancing inspection of all Indian exports, the people said. The trade relationship with Bangladesh will be on reciprocal terms, they added. In the context of Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus playing up the landlocked status of the northeastern states during a visit to China last month, the people noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised that these seven states are integral to the Bimstec grouping. The equal market space now available in the resource-rich northeastern states is expected to give a fillip to manufacturing and entrepreneurship in the region under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' schemes and policies, they said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's de facto commerce minister Sheikh Bashir Uddin told reporters in Dhaka on Sunday that trade with India will continue in the interest of consumers and businesses of both countries. 'We have not yet received any official communication from the Indian side. Once we do, we will take appropriate steps. If any issues arise, both sides will work to resolve them through discussions,' he said, referring to India's restrictions on imports from Bangladesh. Bashir Uddin said the Bangladeshi side had only learnt about the matter from social media and media reports. 'Not everything we export is affected. A large portion of our exports comes from the garment sector. Our main focus remains on achieving competitiveness. Trade is beneficial to both countries. India has a strong textile industry, yet they import our products based on our capabilities,' he said. He expressed optimism that trade with India will continue as it is in the interest of consumers and producers on both sides.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
King and Queen give ‘generous' donation to UK's Myanmar earthquake appeal
The King and Queen are among those who have donated to the UK's Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal to help people affected by the earthquake in Myanmar. The appeal raised £7.5 million on the first day and donations from the public are being matched pound for pound by the UK Government up to £5 million, as part of its UK Aid Match scheme. Made up of 15 UK aid agencies – including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children – the DEC issued an urgent appeal for funds to help the thousands injured and displaced. The DEC said the total included a 'generous' donation from the King and Queen, who are regular supporters. More than 3,100 people have died so far in Myanmar and more than 4,500 have been injured, according to Myanmar's military government. Saleh Saeed, the chief executive of the DEC, said: 'We are extremely grateful to all the people who have already donated to the DEC Myanmar earthquake appeal. 'Once again, the UK public have shown their immense generosity and desire to help those impacted by disasters. 'The stories we are now hearing from the survivors who have managed to escape the ruins of flattened buildings are harrowing. 'Children have lost their families. Thousands have suffered life-changing injuries. Countless more have had their homes and possessions destroyed. 'Life-saving aid is already being delivered by member charities using funds donated to the DEC. But we can reach more people, families and children with your donations. If you are able – please help.' The earthquake that hit last Friday has exacerbated an existing humanitarian crisis caused by the country's civil war. The UN said on Friday that the military had launched dozens of strikes over the past week, even after the junta joined its opponents on Wednesday in calling a temporary halt to hostilities for relief to be delivered. 'There have been 16 reports, credible reports, of air strikes ongoing in different parts of the country, including areas impacted by the earthquakes, since the ceasefire went into effect on April 2,' James Rodehaver, the head of the UN rights office's Myanmar team, said. It said it had received reports of more than 60 attacks in total carried out by the military since the earthquake. Volker Turk, the UN rights chief, called in a statement for the truce to be honoured by allowing humanitarian and rescue workers immediate and unrestricted access to all those in need. 'I urge a halt to all military operations, and for the focus to be on assisting those impacted by the quake, as well as ensuring unhindered access to humanitarian organisations that are ready to support,' he said. 'I hope this terrible tragedy can be a turning point for the country towards an inclusive political solution.' Min Aung Hlaing, the country's ostracised junta leader, met the prime ministers of India and Thailand at a regional summit called Bimstec in Bangkok on Friday. Shunned by most world leaders since leading a 2021 coup that overthrew an elected government, Gen Hlaing's rare foreign trip exploits a window opened by the earthquake to ramp up diplomacy. On the sidelines of Bimstec, Gen Hlaing had two-way meetings with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Thai premier, and Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister. An Indian foreign ministry spokesman said Mr Modi had called for the truce to be made permanent. 'Political resolution to the conflict is the only way forward, starting with inclusive and credible elections,' Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesman, said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Russia Today
24-03-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
India speaks out on regime change in Bangladesh
The Indian government had prior knowledge of growing opposition to Sheikh Hasina's leadership in Bangladesh but was not in a position to 'interfere,' External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday, according to a report by The Hindu. He briefed members of a Foreign Ministry parliamentary panel behind closed doors and reportedly said that India was not in a position to do much as it lacked the 'necessary leverage' over the ousted Bangladeshi prime minister, who could only be 'advised.' This statement was in reference to the violent removal in August 2024 of Hasina, who took refuge in India. Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have become strained since the collapse of Hasina's government and since Muhammad Yunus, her vocal critic, was appointed as the chief adviser to the caretaker government. Bangladesh, however, has recently reached out to India for a rapprochement. Yunus recently told the news outlet BBC Bangla that his country had no choice but to maintain good relations with India. He acknowledged that the two countries are 'historically, politically and economically' inseparable. 'There is no alternative to maintain good relations between the two countries,' he said, adding that 'we cannot deviate from this.' READ MORE: USAID vs. India: How Trump's crackdown alters Washington-Delhi dynamics Ties between India and Bangladesh were further strained in February when the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) released a list of programs being cut as part of a cost-cutting initiative, thereby exacerbating the already tense relationship, as reported by the newspaper Indian Express. The list consisted of funding allocated to the US-based Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening and included a $29 million program designed to enhance the political environment in Bangladesh, among others. However, the names of the recipients and the total expenditure on these initiatives were not made public. According to The Hindu report, Jaishankar highlighted the role of 'external actors' in Bangladesh while speaking to MPs. The development comes ahead of summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) in Thailand next month, where Yunus is reportedly likely to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, in the briefing with members of parliament, Jaishankar remained non-committal about the meeting. Bimstec is a summit that brings together seven South and Southeast Asian countries. During Saturday's discussion, Jaishankar was questioned about the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, where armed ethnic organizations have intensified their fight against the military junta since the February 2021 coup. Members of parliament also raised concerns about the conflict's spillover effects on India's northeastern states, according to media reports. 'A useful discussion on India's relationship with Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar and Sri Lanka,' Jaishankar posted on his X handle following the meeting with lawmakers. READ MORE: Bangladesh rejects Tulsi Gabbard's criticism over alleged abuse of minorities
Russia Today
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
‘No alternative' to good ties with India
The head of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has said his country has no choice but to maintain good relations with India. Ties between the two neighbors have nosedived since former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign last year following deadly protests. In an interview with BBC Bangla published on Monday, and cited by Bangladeshi outlet the Business Standard, Yunus acknowledged that the two countries are 'historically, politically and economically' inseparable. 'There is no alternative to maintain good relations between the two countries,' he said, adding that 'we cannot deviate from this.' Yunus claimed that 'propaganda' has resulted in 'some conflicts' between India and Bangladesh, but said that ties are still 'in very good shape' and that 'there is no deterioration.' 'We are trying to overcome those misunderstandings. There is no problem in our basic relationship,' he added. Yunus previously accused the Indian media of spreading 'propaganda' over alleged atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh after the fall of Hasina's government. His remarks come ahead of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) summit in Thailand next month, where Yunus is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to reports. Ties between Dhaka and New Delhi have been tense following the downfall of Hasina's government in August 2024. After her resignation, Hasina fled to India, where she remains. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and outspoken critic of Hasina, was appointed as the chief adviser of the caretaker government on August 8. The primary objectives of his administration were to reestablish law and order, as well as to facilitate a democratic transition by conducting new elections. However, elections have not yet been announced. The interim government in Dhaka has been seeking Hasina's extradition to face trial in numerous criminal cases that were filed against her and members of her former government, with allegations including murder, torture, abduction, crimes against humanity, and genocide. However, New Delhi has yet to provide a formal response to the requests. In February, Hasina claimed that the Bangladeshi interim government is run by a 'mobster' who has unleashed 'terrorists' and fostered 'lawlessness' in the country. In response to the remarks, the government in Dhaka reiterated its demand to bring Hasina back to Bangladesh. The country's Foreign Ministry claimed that Hasina's statements were 'false and provocative' and were 'hurting the people's sentiments in Bangladesh.'
