Bangladesh-India trade talks to begin Thursday in Delhi

Amid ongoing political tensions between Bangladesh and India, the 16th meeting of the two countries’ Joint Working Group on Trade is set to take place in New Delhi on October 8 and 9.

A 10-member Bangladeshi delegation will travel to Delhi on October 7, with Commerce Ministry Additional Secretary Ayesha Akter leading the team, according to ministry sources.

The meeting will focus on reducing the trade deficit, addressing obstacles to bilateral imports and exports, and strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Bangladesh is expected to prioritise the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, restoration of normal goods movement through land ports, and a review of India’s anti-dumping duties on Bangladeshi jute products.

The 15th meeting of the working group was held in Dhaka on September 26–27, 2023, while the 14th meeting took place in New Delhi on March 2–3, 2022. The annual meeting was not held following the change of government in Bangladesh in 2024.

Previous meetings addressed issues including infrastructure development at land ports and integrated check posts, withdrawal of port restrictions, reopening of border haats, rail transportation of goods, regional connectivity, and harmonisation and mutual recognition of product standards.

According to Export Promotion Bureau data, Bangladesh’s imports from India rose to $10.96 billion in FY2025-26 from $9.62 billion in the previous fiscal year.

During the same period, Bangladesh exported goods worth $1.75 billion to India, slightly down from $1.76 billion a year earlier.