Bangladesh-India Joint Working Group meeting today

A 10-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Ayesha Akter, is participating in the meeting. An official of the delegation said almost all of Bangladesh's trade-related demands will be raised at the meeting. However, since the meeting is discussion-based, no final decision will be made.

The issue of the trade deficit between the two countries will also be given importance at the meeting. In fiscal year 2025-26, Bangladesh imported goods worth $10.96 billion from India but exported goods worth $1.75 billion.

However, the much-discussed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has not been included in Bangladesh's list of discussions this time. India is Bangladesh's second largest source of imports; Bangladesh mainly imports various goods, including factory raw materials, fabric and cotton, from the country.