The northeastern Indian state of Tripura is considering suspending its trade relations with Bangladesh, Chief Minister Manik Saha stated during a press briefing in Agartala on Saturday.
He explained, “Tripura is contemplating suspending trade relations with neighboring Bangladesh in response to the escalating violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.”
Similar to the demands made by BJP opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari from West Bengal, Manik Saha raised the issue, saying, “No decision has been made yet. However, if the situation remains unstable, anything could happen.”
The Tripura Chief Minister added, “There are no signs of an end to the attacks targeting Hindus in Bangladesh. Religious minorities are struggling to survive since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government.”
Saha also stated that security measures along the India-Bangladesh border have been intensified. “We tightened border security on the day Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister left the country. I personally held multiple discussions with BSF and police officials to review the border situation. Securing the border remains our top priority,” he said.
According to The Assam Tribune, bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has significantly declined due to the political instability in Bangladesh. Imports of coal, fish, and other products have reduced, and only trade in plastic products continues at present.
The Assam Tribune further reported that only severely ill patients from Bangladesh are being allowed to enter India for medical treatment. Despite current challenges, Indian officials remain hopeful about resuming normal trade activities between the two countries.
A report from an Indian business daily highlights the consistent growth in trade between Tripura and Bangladesh. In 2013-14, the trade volume was ₹230.24 crore, which increased to ₹715.98 crore in 2023-24.
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, Tripura exported goods worth only ₹12.31 crore to Bangladesh, while imports from Bangladesh amounted to ₹703.67 crore.
Tripura exports items such as broken stone, maize, incense sticks, ginger, dried chilies, vegetable seeds, and wood apples to Bangladesh. Conversely, Bangladesh exports fish, cement, food products, steel, PVC pipes, soft drinks, and cotton waste, among other goods, to Tripura.