India has banned the entry of several Bangladeshi products, including garments, through its land ports. This decision by the Indian central government will harm itself.

The decision by the Indian Commerce Ministry is likely to impact employment and transport in West Bengal. However, central government officials say that even if the restrictions on imports of goods from Bangladesh affect the border state, national interest is paramount for them.

This information was reported by NDTV in a report on Sunday night (May 18), citing Indian news agency PTI.

The media outlet said that the restrictions on the import of certain goods from Bangladesh through land ports could impact employment and the transport sector in West Bengal. However, Indian central government officials said on Sunday that the decision was taken by prioritizing national interest.

Earlier on Saturday, the Indian government issued a directive mandating the use of specific ports for the import of certain goods from Bangladesh, such as ready-made garments and processed food products. This essentially banned the import of such goods through land ports.

In response, it was said that Bangladesh has recently imposed similar restrictions on some Indian products.

Kartik Chakraborty, a member of the Petrapole Clearing Agents Staff Welfare Association (PCASWA) in West Bengal, said, “Even after India banned transshipment from third countries, 20-30 trucks of ready-made garments used to arrive every day. With this new directive, it will be completely stopped. Earlier, when transshipment was in operation, 60-80 trucks used to enter with garments.”

He also said that this ban will affect drivers, helpers, and other logistics workers working in the border area.

NDTV reports that an unnamed trade expert said, "Bangladeshi ready-made garments are entering the Indian retail market at low prices, which is often harming the domestic industry. In some cases, this can also be called 'dumping'."

He added that the move could be a strategic decision, which could be linked to national interests and recent geopolitical changes (such as Dhaka-Islamabad relations). According to him, “national interests are more important even if there is a risk of economic impact or loss.”

The guidelines state that ready-made garments can now only be imported through the Navasheba and Kolkata seaports. These products will not enter through any land ports.

On the other hand, the import of fruits, fruit-flavored drinks, carbonated drinks, processed foods (such as biscuits, chips, confectionery), cotton and cotton waste, plastic and PVC products, dies, plasticizers, granules and wooden furniture - these products have been banned through the LCS (Land Customs Station) of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram and the Changrabandha and Fulbari LCS of West Bengal.

Kartik Chakraborty said that it takes about two weeks to bring goods by sea, whereas by land it takes only 3-4 days. As a result, traders are not enthusiastic about bringing goods by sea.