In rebuke to Yunus’ ‘landlocked’ rhetoric, India ends trans-shipment facility for Bangladesh

India announced on Wednesday the cancellation of the trans-shipment facility extended to Bangladesh in 2020, citing significant congestion at Indian airports and ports.

The decision follows recent remarks by Bangladesh’s interim government head, Muhammad Yunus, who controversially described India’s Northeast as “landlocked” and called for Chinese autonomy over the region.

Yunus also met PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, where the two leaders discussed regional stability and minority issues.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued a circular confirming the termination of the trans-shipment facility, which had been established to allow the export of cargo from Bangladesh to third countries via Indian Land Customs Stations, en route to Indian ports and airports.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The trans-shipment facility extended to Bangladesh resulted in significant congestion at our airports and ports. Logistical delays and higher costs were hindering our own exports. Therefore, the facility has been withdrawn effective April 8.”

This cancellation could disrupt Bangladesh’s trade with Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar.