India Turns Back 4 Bangladeshi Trucks from Benapole

Four Bangladeshi trucks carrying ready-made garments were forced to return from the Benapole border on Wednesday evening after Indian authorities denied them entry at Petrapole Port. The move follows India’s cancellation of a key transit facility that had allowed Bangladesh to export goods to third countries through Indian ports and airports.

On Tuesday, India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued a notification ending the facility, which had been in place since June 2020. Under the previous arrangement, Bangladeshi cargo could be transported to Indian ports or airports in sealed containers or closed trucks via land routes.

As a result, exporter DSV Air & C Ltd was compelled to recall its four trucks from the border.

Basir Ahmed, local manager of DSV Air & C Ltd, confirmed, "The trucks were carrying ready-made garments destined for Bhutan. Normally, they unload in Kolkata, and from there, Indian trucks transport the goods to Bhutan by road. This route saves both time and cost."

Kartik Chakraborty, general secretary of the Petrapole Clearing and Forwarding Agents Staff Welfare Association, said, "The Indian Finance Ministry instructed Petrapole customs to halt transit facilities through the land port. In line with that directive, all transit from Benapole to Petrapole has been stopped."

However, clarifying India’s position, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, told ThePrint: "These measures do not impact Bangladesh’s exports to Nepal and Bhutan transiting through Indian territory."

Aminul Haque, vice-president of the Benapole Import-Export Association, also commented on the development.