India bars jute import from Bangladesh via land, permits only Nhava Sheva port

The restrictions were announced through a notification issued by the commerce ministry on Monday. They came against the backdrop of continuing strains in bilateral relations, which cratered after former premier Sheikh Hasina was ousted by student-led protests in August 2024 and the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus assumed office.

The notification stated that imports of bleached and unbleached woven fabrics of jute, and twine, rope, sacks and bags of jute would not be allowed “from any land port on the India-Bangladesh border”, and will be allowed only through the Nhava Sheva sea port in Maharashtra.

The move was aimed at plugging certain loopholes that remained following restrictions imposed on jute-based products from Bangladesh on June 27, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity.