BSS–57 Dhaka urges Delhi to withdraw onion export ban

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Dhaka urges Delhi to withdraw onion export ban

DHAKA, Sept 15, 2020 (BSS) – Dhaka has requested New Delhi to revoke its ban on onion export as India earlier had made an “unofficial” pledge to Bangladesh of continuing supply of onion here.

“We are expecting a positive result soon in this regard,” said State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam while talking to reporters at his office here today.

He said there is an “unwritten” understanding between Bangladesh and India that New Delhi would not impose ban on onion export and if New Delhi takes such decision, they would inform Dhaka beforehand.

Being informed about India government’s decision of imposing ban on onion export last night, Alam said Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi raised the issue to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs immediately.

The state minister said the commerce ministry of Bangladesh is looking into the onion import issue.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) of India on Monday issued a notification imposing restrictions on onion export with immediate effect. India’s decision has posed a negative impact on onion markets in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, veteran Indian politician and President of Nationalist Congress Party Sharad Pawar also requested the Indian government to lift ban on onion exports, saying “This decision has led to strong reactions from the onion growing belt in Maharashtra”.

The ban jeopardises India’s export share in the onion markets of Gulf countries, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, he tweeted.

BSS/ASG/TA/RY/21:30hrs