India-Bangladesh trade row: New Delhi bans jute and rope imports via land; shipments to be routed only through Nhava Sheva port

India on Monday imposed an immediate ban on the import of select jute products and ropes from Bangladesh through all land routes, in a fresh sign of escalating trade tensions between the two neighbours.According to a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), these consignments will now be permitted only through Maharashtra’s Nhava Sheva seaport, PTI reported. “Imports from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port on the India-Bangladesh border,” the DGFT said, adding that the move “regulates” imports of certain goods with immediate effect.The affected products include bleached and unbleached woven fabrics of jute or other textile bast fibres; twine, cordage and rope of jute; and jute sacks and bags.This is not the first time such curbs have been announced. On June 27, the government restricted imports of a range of jute products and woven fabrics from Bangladesh via land ports, allowing them only through Nhava Sheva. Similar steps were taken in April and May, covering ready-made garments, processed foods, flax tow, jute yarn, and other bast fibre products.On May 17, India imposed port restrictions on certain goods from Bangladesh, while on April 9, it withdrew the transhipment facility that allowed Dhaka to ship goods to destinations including the Middle East and Europe, except for Nepal and Bhutan.The latest trade measures come against the backdrop of remarks made in China by Bangladesh’s interim government head Muhammad Yunus, which drew strong reactions from political leaders in India across party lines. Relations have also soured over Dhaka’s failure to curb attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus.Bangladesh is a key competitor to India in the textile sector. Bilateral trade between the two countries was valued at $12.9 billion in 2023-24. In 2024-25 so far, India’s exports to Bangladesh have stood at $11.46 billion, while imports have totalled $2 billion.