Top Indian firms seek economic ties with Dhaka
Bangladesh and India are seeking to deepen their longstanding economic partnership as a high-level Indian business delegation arrives in Dhaka for a three-day visit, with trade, investment and stronger private-sector links high on the agenda.
The 14-member delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), led by CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee, is visiting Bangladesh from 17 to 19 August to explore new areas of economic and commercial cooperation and address issues of mutual interest and benefit.
The visit comes as the two neighbours look to give fresh momentum to bilateral business ties and expand economic engagement beyond existing trade flows.
The delegation includes senior representatives from major Indian companies and institutions, including Bharat Biotech, Infravision Foundation, Godrej Industries, Arvind Limited, LMW Global, Mahindra Group, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Forbes Marshall, Numaligarh Refinery Limited, Apollo Hospitals and Indian Oil Corporation.
During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.
The meetings are expected to focus on expanding bilateral trade and investment, strengthening business-to-business connections and identifying new avenues for economic cooperation, officials said.
The Indian delegation will also join a luncheon hosted by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), with Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo attending as chief guest.
The programme will provide an opportunity for Indian companies to engage directly with leading Bangladeshi businesses and industry representatives.
Bangladesh and India maintain one of South Asia’s largest trading relationships, although the substantial trade imbalance remains a longstanding concern for Dhaka.
According to the International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh, bilateral merchandise trade stood at around US$11.39 billion in FY2024–25.
Bangladesh exported goods worth US$1.76 billion to India during the period, while imports from India reached US$9.62 billion.
ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman has stressed the need for stronger private-sector engagement to unlock the full potential of bilateral economic cooperation and support sustainable growth.
He has called for improved market access for Bangladeshi goods, the removal of non-tariff barriers, greater harmonisation of standards and simpler customs procedures.
He has also urged both countries to conclude the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the earliest opportunity as a means of narrowing the trade gap.
Rahman has separately called for continued dialogue over anti-dumping measures affecting Bangladeshi exports, particularly jute and jute products, stressing the importance of fair and transparent trade remedies.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi recently said the two countries had the necessary strengths to emerge as a global economic powerhouse if their respective advantages were converted into stronger economic cooperation.
He pointed to the two countries’ capabilities in innovation, education, healthcare and human capital, saying these strengths could support greater investment, employment and sustainable development.
Trivedi also said many longstanding bilateral issues could be addressed through sustained engagement and dialogue at the highest political level.
He highlighted the private sector’s role in driving economic growth, investment and job creation, describing businesses as the foundation of a stable and prosperous economy.
The CII delegation’s visit therefore comes at a potentially important juncture for Bangladesh-India economic relations.
While the two countries already have substantial trade and investment links, Dhaka is seeking more balanced trade, better market access and greater participation of Bangladeshi businesses in the Indian market.
For India, closer engagement with Bangladesh also offers opportunities to expand investment, strengthen regional supply chains and deepen commercial links with a major South Asian economy.
The latest business-to-business outreach is expected to provide a platform for both sides to identify practical areas of cooperation while addressing some of the structural barriers that have limited the full potential of bilateral economic ties.
