Bangladesh has urged India to expedite the issuance of business visas for its citizens and to improve the overall ease of doing business, while requesting the inclusion of a “guarantee clause” in the renewed Ganges Water Treaty and affirming its willingness to turn to international forums to safeguard its water rights.
According to a report by the Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam stated that Bangladesh seeks more frequent communication between businesses and private sectors of the two nations.
“She stated on Tuesday, at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission for prominent Bangladeshi business leaders and a delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), that business visas for Bangladeshi nationals should be processed more swiftly to enable businesspeople to visit India more often.
Bangladesh seeks smoother trade, investment ties
She emphasized the importance of tackling non-tariff barriers, challenges related to standards and testing, procedural delays, and infrastructure limitations that hinder the seamless flow of goods and services.
Islam stated that Bangladesh seeks "more dynamic trade, investment, and connectivity" between the two nations, noting that improved predictability and a smoother business environment would advantage companies on both sides. Dhaka is pursuing an economic partnership with New Delhi that is "mutually beneficial and delivers concrete improvements" to people's lives, she added.
She said the objective should be to expand the overall economic partnership, overcome challenges and create greater opportunities for trade, business and investment on both sides.
She encouraged increased Indian investment in Bangladesh, emphasizing the country’s sizable domestic market, skilled industrial workforce, cost-effective production strengths, and strategic location near key regional markets.
“Our economic zones offer Indian businesses the chance to set up specialized manufacturing and export operations. We are especially interested in investments that introduce new technology, incorporate local suppliers, and generate jobs, while linking Bangladeshi products to regional and global value chains, Islam said.
Bangladesh serves as India’s biggest trading partner in South Asia, while India ranks among Bangladesh’s major export markets in Asia. As of the 2025–26 period up to February, their total bilateral trade volume was about USD 11.35 billion.
Under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), India offers duty-free and quota-free market access for nearly all products originating from Bangladesh.
Dhaka pushes for Ganges treaty safeguards
On water sharing, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said Bangladesh remained committed to renegotiating the Ganges treaty and hoped Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would make a strong case for Bangladesh at the United Nations next month, according to the state-owned BSS news agency.
“We must sign a treaty. Without a treaty, we have no way forward. This is our right,” Anee was quoted as saying by The Daily Star newspaper.
Anee called for a right-to-information provision in future water-sharing agreements and the restoration of a “guarantee clause” included in the 1977 Ganges treaty but omitted from the 1996 pact.
The clause would guarantee a baseline volume of water for the downstream country, safeguarding its water resources during drought periods or unexpected declines in river levels.
Bangladesh ready to approach international bodies
Anee said Bangladesh was prepared to approach international bodies if necessary and hoped India would recognise and respect the rights and sentiments of the Bangladeshi people.
He further stated that Bangladeshis had long regarded the Farakka Barrage as a “death trap,” noting that India constructed additional barrages and roughly 900 embankments along the Ganges after Farakka, which has put pressure on relations between the two nations.
