After Yunus cosies up to China, India terminates trans-shipment facility for Bangladesh

India has withdrawn a key trans-shipment facility granted to Bangladesh, days after the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, described India’s Northeast as a “landlocked” region reliant on Dhaka for access to the ocean — remarks that triggered strong diplomatic backlash.

The decision, announced via a circular issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs on April 8, effectively ends a 2020 arrangement that had allowed Bangladesh to route its export cargo to third countries through Indian Land Customs Stations and onward to ports and airports.

“It has been decided to rescind… circular…dated June 29, 2020, as amended with immediate effect. Cargo already entered into India may be allowed to exit the Indian territory as per the procedure,” the circular mentioned.

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