Bangladesh-India Trade Working Group Meeting Ends Today

The 16th meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Working Group on Trade concludes in New Delhi on Friday, with discussions focusing on bilateral trade barriers, anti-dumping duties on Bangladeshi jute products and issues related to land ports.

A 10-member Bangladesh government delegation, led by Commerce Ministry Additional Secretary Ayesha Akter, is participating in the meeting. The delegation left for New Delhi on Wednesday.

Key issues on the agenda include anti-dumping duties imposed on Bangladeshi jute products, the transportation of goods by rail and the smooth movement of goods between the two countries.

The two sides are also expected to discuss non-tariff barriers, which remain a major obstacle to bilateral trade.

A member of the Bangladesh delegation said Dhaka would raise almost all trade-related issues, although it was not yet clear which matters the Indian side would bring to the table.

“This is a platform for discussion, not decision-making,” the official said.

The official added that a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was not on Bangladesh’s agenda for the meeting.

The bilateral trade deficit is also expected to be discussed, as the value of Indian exports to Bangladesh far exceeds Bangladesh’s exports to India.

According to National Board of Revenue data, Bangladesh exported goods worth $1.75 billion to India in fiscal year 2025-26, while India exported goods worth $10.96 billion to Bangladesh.

India is Bangladesh’s second-largest source of imports after China. Bangladeshi businesses import industrial raw materials, fabrics, yarn and cotton from India.