Trade Disruption at Fulbari Border Due to Bangladesh Turmoil

The ongoing unrest in Bangladesh has caused significant disruptions in trade at the Fulbari Indo-Bangladesh border, affecting import and export activities between the two countries. Traders report a severe impact due to a financial crisis in Bangladesh, leading to a drastic reduction in exports of boulders and stone clips from India to Bangladesh, now down to just 10-15% of normal levels.

Additionally, the number of Bangladeshi nationals visiting India for medical purposes through the Fulbari Integrated Check Post has decreased, leaving exchange counters at the Fulbari land customs station nearly empty. The tourism industry in Darjeeling and Sikkim is also suffering due to restrictions on tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens, causing significant losses for tour operators.

Brij Kishore Prasad, Secretary of the North Bengal Exporters Association, expressed concern over the crisis, citing the lack of a stable government in Bangladesh and the financial turmoil as major issues. Exporters are seeking legal recourse to recover funds stuck due to the situation. Prasad welcomed the agreement between the governments of Bangladesh and India to resume rice trade but urged the Indian government to take immediate action to stabilize trade relations.

Suvankar Naskar, a trader at the Fulbari border, highlighted the deteriorating trade conditions, with fewer Indian trucks exporting goods to Bangladesh and empty exchange counters. He called for government intervention to address the crisis.

The political situation in Bangladesh remains unstable following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after student-led protests. An interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been established, but the country continues to face challenges.