Import restrictions on Bangladesh goods affect Tripura’s Economy

NEW DELHI : India’s decision to restrict imports from Bangladesh via land ports will impact bilateral trade activities in Tripura and other parts of Northeast India. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Saturday (May 17, 2025) imposed port restrictions, except on Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports, on the import of some goods, including readymade garments, plastic items, furniture and processed food items from the neighbouring countries.

Sujit Roy, General Secretary of the All-Tripura Merchant Association, said Indian traders had been importing mainly six items worth crores of rupees through land ports in Tripura. “But with the restrictions enforced, they will not be in a position to import the same”, he told on Sunday.

Mr. Roy, however, said the restrictions would have a brief impact as the items imported from Bangladesh were also available in India.

The export and import trade activity through ICPs and LCSs in Tripura, which shares an 856 km boundary with Bangladesh, has been taking place for the past three decades. Imported plastic-made commodities of various natures and furniture are widely sold in the region.

Fish, cooking oil and crushed stones were imported through Agartala and other land ports on Sunday as they were not barred by the DGFT.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh online news portal bdnews24.com quoted the country’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin as saying that they will work with India to resolve trade issues. The Adviser to the Interim Government reportedly commented that “We are two geographically connected countries.”