Bangladesh is the world’s largest producer of hilsa but due to high local demand, fish exports are limited. However, during the Durga Puja festival, it usually relaxes restrictions on the export of fish, a much-loved delicacy among Bengalis. The Fish Importers’ Association of India earlier this month urged Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hussain to allow hilsa exports to India during Durga Puja, sparking unrest in the country. And in uncertainty over fish shipments this year after a change in government.

The neighboring country banned hilsa exports to India earlier this month following a change of guard following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Notably, the Muhammad Yunus-led caretaker government had imposed a ban on hilsa exports to India citing adequate supplies for local consumers. Bangladesh’s interim government during Durga Puja Just earlier India gave green signal for export of 3000 tons of hilsa. This unexpected move has pleased Kolkata’s fish importers who had almost given up hope. The first shipment is expected soon, although actual imports may be around 1,500 tonnes based on past data

After Hasina took refuge in India on August 5,

The likelihood of Hilsa diplomacy maintaining the new arrangement was slim to none.Akhtar, adviser to the fisheries ministry, said as much in multiple interviews even after the FIA ​​wrote to Touhid Hussain, adviser to the foreign ministry, seeking his intervention in the matter. With no positive response, FIA Secretary Maqsood admitted that the signs of getting the ‘Padma Hilsa’ this year were bleak. The news of the export approval on Saturday surprised him.

Bangladesh lifted the export ban before Puja

Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus-led interim government on Saturday put hilsa diplomacy back on track and the country’s commerce ministry approved the export of 3,000 tonnes of hilsa to India ahead of this year’s Durga Puja. The announcement came as a big surprise to Kolkata’s fish importers, Farida Akhtar, adviser to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Resources. had given up hope of importing the much-desired delicacy after the application was rejected by the Fish Importers’ Association (FIA). To maintain the tradition of allowing hilsa business ahead of Bengal’s biggest festival.

“The export of 3,000 tonnes of hilsa to India has been permitted by Bangladesh.The order is anticipated to be granted on September 25. After passing across the land border between Benapole and Petrapole, the first shipment is anticipated to arrive in Kolkata the following day,” the”Commerce Ministry of Bangladesh said.About 50 applications for export have already been received, and once commerce is permitted, there should be a large number more, according to FIA Secretary Syed Anwar Maqsood.However, the actual volume reaching India is likely to be around 1,500 tonnes as approval of larger quantities has not translated into higher exports in the last three years.

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The trade must end by October 22, when a 22-day hilsa fishing ban begins to allow the fish to spawn. Although ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina banned hilsa exports to India in 2012 after talks on the Teesta Treaty between the two countries collapsed, she temporarily lifted the ban ahead of Durga Puja in 2019 and allowed hilsa exports for 30 days. September-October.

Conclusion

In advance of the forthcoming Durga Puja, the interim administration of Bangladesh said on Saturday that it will export 3,000 tons of fish to India, lifting the export prohibition on hilsa fish.The export of hilsa, also known as hilsa fish, was banned earlier this month after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.Puja, meeting certain conditions.” The Bangladesh commerce ministry announced, “Approval has been given to export 3,000 tonnes of hilsa fish (to India) on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja.”