Diplomatic Desk:
Discussions were held on reopening the closed border markets, making land ports operational at full capacity, and lifting the existing ban on importing yarn by land to further accelerate trade relations between Bangladesh and India.
On Monday (August 24, 2026), the meeting between Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi at the Secretariat brought up various issues related to expanding bilateral trade, removing trade barriers, and creating new investment opportunities.
After the meeting, the Commerce Minister said that there is currently a bilateral trade of about $13 billion between Bangladesh and India. However, due to the creation of some barriers in the last one and a half years, there has been some slowdown in trade activities. The meeting discussed ways to make trade relations between the two countries easier and more effective in the future by identifying these problems.
He said that India is the second largest trading partner of Bangladesh after China. The two countries have long-standing economic relations. The meeting focused on making land ports fully operational, reopening closed border markets, and lifting the existing ban on importing yarn by land.
The Commerce Minister said that proposals have also been made to form a joint task force to increase cooperation between businessmen of the two countries and to develop digital infrastructure. Through this, initiatives are being taken to create new investment opportunities, expand business relations, and accelerate bilateral trade.
He expressed hope that Bangladesh-India relations will be further strengthened in the coming days and economic cooperation will gain new heights with the initiative of the Indian High Commissioner.
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said in the meeting that despite some differences in political and economic matters between the two countries, the common people want development and progress. Bangladesh and India must work together, especially for the future of the young generation.
He said that Bangladesh and India are two independent and sovereign countries. No one is big or small; everyone is equal. The two countries must continue to work on the basis of this equality.
Citing economic cooperation as one of the most important foundations for the development of relations between the two countries, the High Commissioner said that cooperation in other areas will also increase if economic relations are strengthened.
Stressing on joint ventures and production, Dinesh Trivedi said that Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector is very successful worldwide. India can cooperate in this sector by supplying various materials including zippers, machinery, buttons. Through this, it is possible to further increase mutual dependence between the two countries.
He said that he feels proud when he sees clothes written ‘Made in Bangladesh’ in the international market. There is an opportunity for Bangladesh and India to jointly produce various products including ready-made garments. Joint ventures can also be produced at the border level.
The High Commissioner said that ‘Business to business’ cooperation should be further increased. Politics will run at its own pace, but it is the responsibility of both countries to fulfill the expectations of the common people through business and economy.
He also said that Bangladesh and India can take joint investment and joint production initiatives in various fields. Since Bangladesh’s ready-made garments are particularly successful in the global market, there is a great opportunity for businessmen of the two countries to cooperate in this sector.
The meeting expressed optimism that Bangladesh-India trade relations will further expand in the coming days by increasing cooperation between businessmen of the two countries, creating new areas of joint investment and production, and strengthening the supply chain.
