Bangladesh is damaging itself': Top trade expert says India's land port curbs are just a teaser

India’s recent move to restrict Bangladeshi exports via land ports is a calculated step in the evolving landscape of international trade and supply chain management, according to Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). Speaking to Business Today, Srivastava called the decision a “lower-level” response to Bangladesh’s rising trade barriers against Indian goods.

While India hasn't banned Bangladeshi exports outright, it has redirected specific goods to sea routes a subtle but impactful shift in Exim in supply chain strategy. GTRI estimates that this change could affect around $770 million worth of Bangladeshi exports, nearly 42% of its total outbound trade to India.

Srivastava noted that Bangladesh's policy, influenced by internal political and religious shifts, is undermining its own economic interests. Once a leading garment exporter diversifying into leather and other sectors, Bangladesh now risks isolating itself from a key regional partner.

This episode underscores the fragility and strategic importance of global trade and supply chain management, especially in South Asia. As Bangladesh draws closer to China, India’s restrained yet pointed reaction reflects a broader shift in international trade supply chain dynamics, one driven by geopolitical considerations and economic signalling over outright confrontation.