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Dhaka: India will continue to export onions to Bangladesh. If you want to stop it for any reason, please let me know in advance.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam, said that there was an “unwritten word” with the country as a friendly country.
But the sudden halt to onion exports without informing you has made Bangladesh uncomfortable about not keeping that “unwritten word”.
That is why Dhaka has started strong diplomatic efforts to get India to withdraw its decision to stop onion exports.
It is known that after the sudden stoppage of onion exports from India, diplomatic activities have started from Dhaka and Delhi. Dhaka has asked Delhi to reverse the decision. On the other hand, efforts are being made to import onions from different countries besides India to handle the crisis.
According to sources, a day after the ban on Indian onion exports, diplomatic efforts were launched from Dhaka and Delhi to lift the ban. An official letter has been sent to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Delhi. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a diplomatic letter to the High Commissioner of India in Dhaka. Dhaka has expressed concern about the ban on onions. At the same time, the neighboring country was asked to lift the embargo.
In September last year, India abruptly halted onion exports. At that time, the onion market in Bangladesh became unstable. The onions were also sold at Rs 250-300 per kg. Once again, the onion market in Bangladesh has become volatile due to the sudden stop of onions in India in September.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Delhi on October 3 last year after India stopped onion exports. At that time, she also requested the Indian government to inform Bangladesh in advance before stopping onion exports. The then prime minister also said in a speech to Indian businessmen that he had told his staff to cook without onions. Then the Prime Minister’s statement was also discussed.
On September 14 this year, the onions suddenly stopped arriving from India. However, a circular signed by Amit Yadav, Director General, Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Trade and Industry, said that all types of onion exports would remain closed until new orders are received under Section 3 of the Law. Foreign Trade Council 1992 of India. However, onion crushed, powdered and other conditions will continue to export onions. The matter became clear after the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued the notice.
According to sources, Bangladesh has stopped exporting hilsa to India for a long time. However, in view of Durga Puja, some 1,500 metric tons of hilsa were allowed to be exported to India. On September 14, the first shipment of that hilsa went to India from Bangladesh. And on the same day, the export of onions from India was stopped, which has created unrest for the Bangladeshi government. The issue is being widely criticized on social media. That is why the government is making great diplomatic efforts to withdraw the onion export order to India.
Meanwhile, in view of the ban on onion exports from India, Bangladesh is looking for an alternative country. Initiatives have been taken to import onions from Myanmar, Turkey and Egypt. The government has started talks with these countries.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said: “As soon as the notice of export of onions from India reached us, the Delhi Mission contacted the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” Because there was an unwritten word between us that India would continue to export onions to Bangladesh. However, if the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs brings any changes, they will inform us in advance. There is such an understanding, it is like a friendly state. We urge you to reverse this decision as soon as possible. Hopefully, you will get a good result.
It is worth mentioning that about 23 lakhs of onion is produced in Bangladesh every year. However, 4 to 5 lakh tons of onions were lost. And every year the demand in Bangladesh is 3 million tons. As a result, around 1 million tonnes of onions must be imported each year. And 90 percent of imports come from India.
Bangladesh time: 1600 hours, September 18, 2020
TR / AJ
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