Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said trade between India and Bangladesh through the northeastern state should be based on mutual benefit and urged Dhaka to provide a level playing field for Tripura’s tea and rubber products in its market.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Bangladesh High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah on the sidelines of the Destination Tripura Business Conclave, Saha said he had raised concerns over the high import duty imposed on Tripura’s tea and value-added rubber products.
The Chief Minister said Bangladesh imports tea from several countries and that Tripura should receive similar tariff treatment so that its products can compete in the neighbouring market.
“Our tea cannot compete because of the high import duty. The same issue affects value-added rubber products. We have requested that Tripura be given a fair opportunity in the Bangladesh market,” Saha said.
He added that the state was equally open to importing Bangladeshi products such as cement, stone chips, and fish, describing bilateral trade as a “give-and-take” arrangement that should benefit both sides.
Saha said trade activities between the two sides had slowed in recent times and expressed hope that economic engagement would regain momentum.
Responding to questions, Hamidullah said trade was only one aspect of the India-Bangladesh relationship and stressed the importance of strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
He said Bangladesh had proposed screening its national award-winning films in India on a non-commercial basis to promote cultural understanding, adding that stronger cultural ties would also support long-term economic cooperation.
The envoy said discussions were continuing to simplify trade procedures and maintained that there was “no doubt” about Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening trade relations with India.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have remained strained since the political developments in Bangladesh in August 2024.
The slowdown has delayed the operationalisation of two key connectivity projects involving Tripura—the Maitri Setu linking Sabroom with Bangladesh across the Feni River and the Agartala-Akhaura rail link, both of which have been completed but are yet to become operational.