Strike in Bangladesh takes a toll on cross-border trade with India

The ongoing strike called by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is taking a toll on cross-border trade with India, which left hundreds of trucks stranded at the transit point in South Dinajpur, West Bengal.

The BNP began a three-day strike in Bangladesh on October 27 over a demand for setting up a caretaker government before the 2014 general elections.

Truck drivers expressed their ire over the strike, as they were not allowed to cross the border and unload their goods,especially perishable items.

A truck driver from Bangalore, Chiranjit, highlighted the apathy of the administration towards the grim situation.

"Everyone will face problem and all the onions will rot if they don't allow us to unload essential items from our trucks. If they empty our trucks no one will face any problem," said Chiranjit.

West Bengal shares a long border with Bangladesh and normally friendly relations between India and Bangladesh have often been marred by border firing, especially after New Delhi began fencing off the frontier to stop illegal migrants, cattle smugglers and militants.

Usually 200 to 250 trucks enter Bangladesh from India but the ongoing strike has put the frequent movement of goods at halt.

The President of the Hilly Export Association, South Dinajpur, Bikash Mandal, said exporters faced the brunt of the strike.

"The situation in Bangladesh is very tense. The Indian exporters are facing much problem. Due to the three-day strike in Bangladesh, the fruits, onions and fish from Andhra Pradesh and other essential commodities loaded on the vehicles will rot," said Mandal.

Bangladesh and India in January signed an extradition treaty and struck a deal to relax business visa restrictions between the neighbouring countries.

The extradition treaty could pave the way for Bangladesh to put on trial several crime bosses who crossed the border into India.

Recently, there was significant improvement in the trade relations between the two countries. In 2010-11, two-way trade crossed the US$ 5 billion mark as a result of a significant increase in Bangladesh's exports to India (68 percent over the previous year) and India's exports to Bangladesh (43 percent over the previous year).

Furthermore, traditional economic and cultural links between India and Bangladesh have been greatly enhanced with Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina visiting India in January, 2010 followed by a return visit by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in September 2011.

Given the geographical proximity, warm and friendly ties, availability of workforce and investment-supportive atmosphere, the quantum of Indian investment and trade with Bangladesh is further expected to improve for mutual benefit.