Bangladesh Financial News

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump’s tariff thunderbolt sent shockwaves across world capitals on Thursday, turning the clock back on globalization and raising fears of a tariff war.

import duties by the US on the global trade and not take any action in a hurry as America may itself face problems from its domestic industry, government sources said. US President Donald Trump on April 2 announced reciprocal tariffs ranging 11-49 per cent on about 60 countries, including India and China. It will come into effect from April 9. The official said there are both challenges and opportunities for India as many of its competitor countries in exports, such as China Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Thailand, face higher duties. «As a country we need to watch the situation and need not be in a hurry. This is something new that has happened. It is unprecedented. The US industry too would be angry from this move and challenges will also be there. We need to wait, observe, and and see because we should not rush to conclusion that this is it for the future. We need to see what is there in store on their side,» one of the sources said. The duties announced by the US are aimed at cutting down its trade deficit and boost manufacturing. On the 27 per cent duty on India, they added that only 6-7 sectors like shrimp and carpet could face challenges from the steep taxes, but majority of other sectors like pharma and electronics would get opportunities to increase shipments as competitor nations would face higher duties than India.

Vijay Kedia thinks this will be an opportunity for a new transformation, which will pave the way for a new beginning. «A new beginning for India is unfolding. Not just economic but emotional — a renewed faith in our capacity to build, innovate, and lead,» Kedia said on social media platform X.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. On 2 April, President Donald Trump didn’t just shock the world with his reciprocal tariffs announcement—he also upended 200 years of trade wisdom. Most of us take free trade and global supply chains as natural and necessary, but few realize these systems stem from the Law of Comparative Advantage, proposed by British political economist David Ricardo in 1817.

Trump's 26 per cent tariff on Indian goods would have a limited impact on key agricultural exports like seafood and rice when compared to higher duties imposed on regional competitors, Gulati said. «We should not look at the tariff increase in absolute terms, but see relative tariff increases with our competitors,» Gulati told PTI. The former chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) noted that while India faces 26 per cent tariffs, China faces 34 per cent, creating an 8 per cent differential advantage for Indian exporters. Other competitors face even steeper barriers, with Vietnam at 46 per cent, Bangladesh at 37 per cent, Thailand at 36 per cent, and Indonesia at 32 per cent, Gulati said.

The Problem with India’s Onion Export Policies India’s approach to controlling onion exports has been inconsistent, resulting in price volatility and disruptions in the supply chain. The government has imposed a ban on onion exports three times in the past five years, accompanied by MEP and high export duties (refer to table 1). This erratic policy-making benefits neither consumers nor farmers.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday strongly criticised and condemned the remarks made by the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, claiming that Bangladesh is the «only guardian» of the Indian Ocean for the region, as the seven northeastern Indian states are «landlocked». Yunus made these remarks during his four-day visit to China. Taking to the social media platform X, the Assam CM said that the statement was «offensive and strongly condemnable», noting that the region had been under ongoing security risk discourse linked to India's critical 'Chicken's Neck' corridor." Sarma further highlighted historical suggestions by some internal elements in India to sever this critical passageway and isolate the Northeast. «The statement made by Md Younis of Bangladesh so-called interim Government referring to the seven sister states of Northeast India as landlocked and positioning Bangladesh as their guardian of ocean access is offensive and strongly condemnable. This remark underscores the persistent vulnerability narrative associated with India's strategic „Chicken's Neck“ corridor. Historically, even internal elements within India have dangerously suggested severing this critical passageway to isolate the Northeast from the mainland physically,» Sarma said.

political significance of Ram Navami celebrations in the state this year. What has traditionally been a religious occasion has morphed into a political battleground, as the ruling TMC and opposition BJP have engaged in a fierce contest over polarisation and counter-polarisation. The BJP, looking to consolidate Hindu votes ahead of next year's polls, has made Ram Navami a focal point of its campaign. Hindutva groups, including the VHP and the RSS, have set a target of mobilising over three crore people and taking out rallies in every block in West Bengal during the week-long celebrations starting on April 6. According to BJP leaders, these processions will serve as a symbolic protest against the alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and what they described as the TMC's «appeasement politics.» «The attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are an eye-opener for those on this side of the border. If we don't resist now, Hindus in West Bengal may face a similar fate due to the TMC's appeasement policies,» state BJP president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar told PTI.

The women student protest leaders of Bangladesh will be honoured with the 'Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award', named after the first woman to serve as US Secretary of State. «A valiant group of women were key drivers in the student protest movement against violent repression in Bangladesh in July-August 2024. They demonstrated extraordinary bravery, including standing between security forces and male protestors in spite of threats and violence,» the State Department said in a statement. «When their male counterparts were arrested, these women found innovative ways to continue communication and lead the protests, defying censorship efforts, even during the complete shutdown of the Internet. The bravery and selflessness of these women amid uncertainty was the very definition of courage,» it said. However, the State Department did not name any particular individual for the award.

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey unveiled key outcomes, including the Bangkok Vision 2030 and underlined that the grouping is set to grow stronger by partnering with other external partners such as Indian Ocean Rim Association and ASEAN. In an online conference organised by Centre for Global India Insights (CGII), a think tank focused on global affairs, Pandey underscored the growing political will and commitment of member states to strengthening BIMSTEC, enhancing its effectiveness, and ensuring time-bound implementation of decisions. The conference, titled “Bolstering BIMSTEC: Mapping the Next Steps,” was held ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangkok to attend BIMSTEC summit and featured eminent diplomats and experts from India, Thailand Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Diplomats from other BIMSTEC countries also attended the conference. Besides BIMSTEC Secretary General Pandey, Sumith Nakandala, First Secretary General, BIMSTEC Secretariat; Amb. (Retd.) Riva Ganguly Das, India’s Former High Commissioner to Bangladesh; Prof Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Dhaka; Dr. Piyanat Soikham, Director, India Studies Centre, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand; Prabir De, Professor, RIS; and Yash Pal Sachar, Vice-President, Ashok Leyland participated in the panel discussion. The conference was moderated by Manish Chand, CEO, Centre for Global India Insights. “Our leaders will adopt a joint declaration. They will also adopt a BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030. This is for the first time that BIMSTEC will adopt its own vision document,” said Pandey.

BJP leader V Muraleedharan on Saturday called on the Kerala government to strictly enforce the newly passed legislation aimed at curbing the influx of illegal migrants in the state. Addressing reporters here, he said a large number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh are arriving in Kerala under the guise of guest workers, and stressed that the law should be implemented in the state without fail. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday, with Home Minister Amit Shah asserting that those who come to India for business, education and investment are welcome, but those who pose a threat to security will face stringent action. Muraleedharan also claimed that these illegal immigrants, posing as guest workers, are involved in the spread of narcotics in the state. «So, it is essential to implement the new law for the peaceful life and safety of ordinary people here,» he said. Criticising the Congress-led UDF over the matter, the former union minister alleged that the opposition front's approach in this regard is «disappointing».

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus here on Friday, official media reported. Yunus, on a four-day visit to China, took part in the country's Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in Hainan after his arrival there on Wednesday. He arrived in Beijing on Thursday and was received at the airport by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong. Gearing up for his meeting with Xi, Yunus called on China on Thursday to reduce interest rates for Chinese loans and waive commitment fees on Chinese-funded projects. In his meeting with the Chinese Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, Yunus sought Chinese support in an array of development projects, Bangladesh media reports said. He also called for a reduction of interest rates for Chinese loans from three per cent to 1-2 per cent to Bangladesh and sought a waiver of commitment fees on the Chinese-funded projects in Bangladesh. China is Bangladesh's fourth-largest lender after Japan, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, with total loans disbursed since 1975 coming to USD 7.5 billion, according to a report in the Daily Star newspaper of Bangladesh.

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s power generation unit resumed full electricity supply to the nation, four months after halving the feed over unpaid dues. “We’re making regular payments to Adani and receiving power as per our requirements,” Rezaul Karim, chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board, said on Thursday. He didn’t specify the quantum of payments and whether past arrears have been cleared. Data from BPDB shows Adani increased power supply more than two weeks ago.

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh being built with Russian assistance in what is next step in building this power plant. An important process stage of the turbine installation has been completed at Rooppur NPP Unit 1 in Bangladesh (the general designer and general contractor is Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division). This resulted in the turbine set placement on the barring gear. During the tests, the turbine shaft started rotating at a slow speed. The barring gear ensures correct alignment and balancing of the turbine rotor before the start-up and shutdown, which prevents the turbine components form wearing and ensures safe and efficient work. The experts carried out control checks that confirmed accuracy of the alignment and high quality of assembly of the turbine set. “Installation of the turbine at Rooppur NPP Unit 1 has been completed successfully and this is an important step to the physical start-up of the plant. The turbine set placement on the barring gear and successful control checks confirm accuracy of the assembly and reliability of the equipment. This result is an accomplishment of a highly qualified team of specialists and another evidence of the reliability of Russian technologies”, noted Alexey Deriy, Atomstroyexport JSC Vice President for Projects in Bangladesh.

Muhammad Yunus is due in China on Wednesday at the start of a four-day visit during which he is expected to seek financial support and sign MoUs to boost his country’s sagging economy amid dwindling support from the US under President Donald Trump. India will keep a close watch if Yunus agrees to any Chinese military presence particularly in any airfield closer to the border area. Additional Chinese support for Bangladesh armed forces and any enhanced Chinese military presence in the Bay of Bengal will also be closely monitored, according to Bangladesh watchers. Yunus will attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, Hainan province, and hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 28. Boosting economic relations with China will be a central focus of this visit, sources in Dhaka said. Yunus will later speak at Peking University, where he will reportedly be presented with an honorary doctorate. China, while engaged with Dhaka under the Hasina government and earlier with the BNP regime, is keen to keep Yunus in good humour for its economic and strategic interests in the Bay of Bengal region. As per a report in Bangladesh’s leading English newspaper The Daily Star, China and Bangladesh are planning to sign at least eight MoUs on trade, culture, upgrading Mongla Port and water management. The Sheikh Hasina government had given India access to the Mongla Port.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri along with other senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs briefed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on the Indo-Bangladesh relations. The panel is chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Officials are also learnt to have expressed concern that the Bangladesh government has «not only not acknowledged the systematic persecution of minorities but has sought to downplay the scale and nature of violence against Hindus since 2024», sources said. The officials also apparently referred to the statement of Mohammed Yunus, chief adviser to the interim government in Bangladesh, where he termed the atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh as media exaggeration. Officials also expressed concern that persecution against minorities has been characterised as «political killings» of Awami League members rather than communal violence. When asked about the Bangladesh Army, it was suggested that they are out of barracks to take control of the law and order in the neighbouring nation. Officials suggested that India is interested in advancing mutual interests and priorities with Bangladesh, sources said.

extremism in Bangladesh under the Muhammad Yunus regime. “Fortunately, we have an administration and a secretary of state who is completely committed to diplomatic resolutions, to face-to-face conversations with our friends around the world,” a US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Monday in reply to a question on Bangladesh army chief’s warning of an imminent extremist attack on Bangladesh as well as unlawful imprisonment of journalists under the Yunus regime. “We expect every country, certainly Bangladesh and others, to say the least, to follow the rules of human rights and to be cognizant and fair regarding the behaviour and what their own citizens expect from their government. So, I think that’s a north star for any nation,” she said. Last week, US director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had expressed her concerns over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and is understood to have had detailed conversations with Indian officials on the Bangladesh situation. Foreign minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the government is working on various mechanisms to draw the attention of Bangladeshi authorities on the issue of atrocities on minorities.

Sukanta Majumdar, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in state assembly Suvendu Adhikari and BJP Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya. Meanwhile, an all-party meeting will be held at the Election Commission’s state office on March 28 to discuss the fake voter issue. BJP State President Sukanta Majumdar blamed “the politics of appeasement” in Bengal and alleged that the Hindus being removed from the voter lists. The MoS has met Union Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday and apprised him about it. “Failed CM @MamataOfficial's politics of appeasement has reached dangerous levels. Hindus are being selectively removed from West Bengal’s voter list while Bangladeshi infiltrators are being rewarded with voting rights! Evidence of this grave conspiracy was handed over to Union Home Minister @AmitShah Ji yesterday. @AITCofficial’s dream of turning Bengal into #GreaterBangladesh is no longer a secret,” Majumdar posted in his X Handle. Majumdar said that names of several infiltrators have been included in the voter list. Citing an example, Majumdar wrote in his post, “Shahidul Biswas, a resident of Jessore, Bangladesh, is on the voter list of Bagda Assembly. And it’s not just one Shahidul—lakhs of infiltrators have been added, ensuring a slow demographic takeover. This is nothing less than an attack on India’s sovereignty! Mamata Banerjee wants to erase the Hindu identity of Bengal, the land won through the sacrifices of Bharat Kesari Syama Prasad Mukherjee. How long will true sons of Bengal tolerate this betrayal?”

conflicts in the Indo-Mediterranean. In Afghanistan the Taliban has completely taken over the country and has launched a diplomatic offensive to gain international acceptance. However, they have disenfranchised the female population banning women from working and studying. Female Afghan citizens find themselves locked in their houses, at the mercy of a regime which gives them no rights, not to mention religious minorities who have left the country. It is not much better in Pakistan, Afghan refugees are being deported to the clutches of the Taliban in the middle of a harsh winter, as the world is distracted from the conflicts of the day. Violence against minority Hindu’s, Christians andAhmadiyya’s is on the rise as Pakistan veers from one political crisis to another. Similar horrifying stories are being told after a regime change in Bangladesh recently saw Nobel Laureate Mohamed Yunus replace elected leader Shiekh Hasina in Dhaka. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians are being singled out and targeted, their businesses destroyed, their leaders arrested on trumped up charges. From the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean, the story repeats itself in Syria where Muslim brotherhood inspired HTS replaced the gruesome Assad regime. Minorities including Kurds, Alawites, Shi’a don’t accept the new regime’s impositions finding themselves dealing with a new government that they fear will be more brutal than the one it replaced. Apart from religious and ethnic minorities it is the vulnerable groups, the women and children that suffer the most from these radical groups seizing power.

The match kicked off at 7:00 PM IST as the Men in Blue look to build on their recent international win. The Indian football team heads into this crucial encounter with confidence after a 3-0 victory over the Maldives in an international friendly at the same venue last week. This marked India's first international win in 489 days and also the maiden victory under head coach Manolo Márquez. Adding to the excitement, Sunil Chhetri has made a dramatic return to the national squad. The 40-year-old forward, who is the fourth-highest goal scorer in international football, had previously retired from international duty but reversed his decision ahead of the Maldives game, where he found the back of the net.