On May 18, 2025, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification suspending all land route imports of ready-made garments (RMG) from Bangladesh. This move follows Bangladesh’s earlier decision in April 2025 to curb cotton yarn imports from India — a product that represents nearly 45% of India’s total cotton yarn exports. According to trade statistics, India imported $634 million worth of RMG from Bangladesh in 2024, with most shipments arriving via land routes.
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) Chairman, Shri Rakesh Mehra, emphasized that the new restriction is a strategic reaction to Bangladesh’s unilateral trade curbs. He noted that while this may lead to higher costs for Bangladeshi apparel exports to India, it opens significant opportunities for Indian RMG producers and yarn exporters. This policy shift is expected to strengthen domestic textile value chains, enhance local sourcing, and promote self-reliance in the apparel sector.
