Bangladesh-India Discuss Full Border Operations, Border Haats and Resuming Yarn Imports by Land

Bangladesh and India have discussed fully operationalising land borders, reopening border haats and resuming yarn imports through land routes to further strengthen bilateral trade, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir has said.

He made the remarks while briefing journalists after a courtesy meeting with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi at the Secretariat on Monday, August 24.

The minister said annual bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India stood at around $13 billion, describing India as Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner after China.

He said the meeting focused on areas where trade relations could be improved, including making land-border facilities fully functional, restarting border haats and resuming yarn imports by land.

The Indian high commissioner also raised issues related to several road links, including the route through Sabroom, according to the minister.

Muqtadir said that after Bangladesh’s political transition in 2024, some restrictions were introduced by both sides in cross-border trade. Despite that, he said bilateral trade remained close to $13 billion last year.

He stressed the importance of viewing Bangladesh-India relations through their economic interests, saying this could help consumers access goods and services at lower prices.

The minister also said Indian businesses had proposed forming a task force involving business representatives from both countries to explore investment in Bangladesh’s physical and digital infrastructure. He added that efforts to deepen trade ties and identify new investment opportunities would continue.