Bangladesh has received another consignment of rice from India despite ongoing tensions between the two countries. Under a deal, Bangladesh is set to receive 300,000 tonnes of rice, with 40 percent of it being unloaded at Mongla Port and the rest at Chittagong Port. Arrival Of Rice Ships On Saturday, two ships delivered a total of 16,400 tonnes of rice to Mongla Port. The vessels, one flagged in Panama and the other in Thailand, carried 7,700 tonnes and 8,700 tonnes respectively. The ships arrived from India’s Dhamra Port and Kolkata […]
Bangladesh Receives 16,000 Tonnes of Rice from India
Bangladesh has received another consignment of rice from India despite ongoing tensions between the two countries. Under a deal, Bangladesh is set to receive 300,000 tonnes of rice, with 40 percent of it being unloaded at Mongla Port and the rest at Chittagong Port.
On Saturday, two ships delivered a total of 16,400 tonnes of rice to Mongla Port. The vessels, one flagged in Panama and the other in Thailand, carried 7,700 tonnes and 8,700 tonnes respectively. The ships arrived from India’s Dhamra Port and Kolkata Port. This follows an earlier shipment on January 20 when the MV Puthan-36, a Vietnam-flagged vessel, brought 5,700 tonnes of rice.
The rice shipment is part of an open tender import agreement between Bangladesh and India. The consignment is crucial for Bangladesh, which is facing food security challenges. The agreement outlines the delivery of a significant quantity of rice over multiple shipments, with Mongla Port handling a major portion.
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The rice imports come at a time when political relations between Bangladesh and India are strained. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, is pushing to revise certain border agreements made with India in the past. These agreements are perceived by some in Bangladesh as unfavorable.
In August of last year, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country after a large-scale protest against her regime. This protest resulted in the toppling of her 16-year rule. Since then, Yunus, a Nobel laureate, assumed the role of Chief Adviser. During this time, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants for Hasina and other former officials, accusing them of crimes against humanity.
Bangladesh’s new government has also made moves to request the extradition of Hasina from India, which has further strained bilateral relations. The ongoing rice shipments, however, continue despite these tensions, signaling the importance of trade ties between the two countries. In summary, while diplomatic challenges persist, the rice imports highlight the ongoing cooperation between India and Bangladesh in times of need.
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