Rice Export Halt to Bangladesh Gains Support

26-Dec-2025 03:40 PM

New Delhi. In light of the ongoing unrest and attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, a section of Indian exporters is demanding a ban on the export of rice and other food and agricultural products to the country.

Last week, the office of the Assistant High Commissioner in Chittagong was attacked by a mob of Bangladeshi rioters, significantly escalating tensions between the two countries. The atmosphere of anarchy and instability there has reached its peak.

Indian exporters say that the situation in Bangladesh has become so bad and worrying that exporting Indian products there is fraught with risk.

Bangladesh has maintained a ban on jute exports to India, forcing Indian jute millers to reduce production.

India should take necessary retaliatory measures and impose a direct ban on the export of rice and other agricultural and food products to Bangladesh.

Indian exporters are deeply concerned and distressed by the events unfolding in Bangladesh. They are surprised that the Indian government is still taking risks and has not yet decided to stop rice exports to Bangladesh. The government should have no difficulty in stopping these risky exports.

If the government is unable to take immediate precautionary measures, the exporters themselves should step forward and quote higher offer prices in the Bangladesh rice import tenders.

Bangladesh needs to import large quantities of rice and many other products from India. If this import-export process is disrupted, there will be a severe shortage of these products in Bangladesh, leading to a sharp increase in food inflation.

Only then will Bangladesh realize the importance of India. Bangladesh saves 8-9 Taka per kilogram on rice imported from India compared to other supplier countries.