A fresh wave of tension has swept across the India–Bangladesh border after the interim government in Dhaka, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, abruptly halted the import of Indian onions – despite retail prices in Bangladesh shooting up to nearly Taka 100 per kilo.
The decision, taken without prior notice, has triggered a silent crisis stretching from Mahdipur to Hili border points, where nearly 30,000 tonnes of onions now lie idle in godowns and trucks. With every passing day, the stockpiled produce is rotting, leaving Indian exporters furious and Bangladeshi traders helpless.
Political circles in Dhaka have already accused the Yunus-led interim government of displaying an “anti-India stance” since coming to power. This sudden ban has only intensified that criticism. Despite Bangladesh’s soaring onion prices, import permits (IPs) for Indian onions have been completely stopped.
The Sona Masjid Import-Export Group revealed on November 16 that the Department of Agricultural Extension had initially been issuing IPs – first 50 tonnes to some importers, later 30 tonnes each – but abruptly froze the system. Dhaka insists the step was taken to “protect local farmers,” especially in a year of reportedly higher domestic production.
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For Indian traders, the timing could not have been worse. They had already procured onions from Nashik, based on confirmed orders from Bangladeshi importers, and shipped them to the border point only to be blindsided by the ban.
“We got the order and brought onions from Nashik. Suddenly, there is a ban,” an exporter from Mahdipur said bitterly. “We stored them in a warehouse, and now they are rotting. We’re being forced to sell them at just ₹6 per kg. Four lorries – huge loss.”
From Mahdipur to Sona Masjid, the scene is identical – warehouses filled with deteriorating stock, traders scrambling to salvage whatever they can, and trucks stranded for days.
Importers across the border are equally frustrated. “We are fully ready to buy Indian onions. But we are not allowed to do so on the government’s orders. If clearance is given, we will start importing immediately,” one trader said.
Ujjwal Saha, secretary of a major exporters’ association in West Bengal, echoed serious concerns. “Bangladesh has suddenly closed IPs, citing farmers’ interests. This has caused massive losses to Indian traders. Onions stored in Mahdipur are spoiling. We have already informed the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and hope Dhaka will clear the consignments already stuck at the border,” Saha said.
The ground reality at the border now carries the unmistakable scent of anger, anxiety, and administrative missteps. Analysts believe that the Yunus administration’s unpredictable policy shift is not only hurting traders on both sides but could also further strain the Delhi-Dhaka diplomatic equation at a sensitive time.
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