In 2020, as the world battled the Covid-19 pandemic, global trade came to a standstill. Borders closed. Flights were grounded. Supply chains froze. And few economies in the Indian subcontinent were hit harder than Bangladesh.

The backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, its Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector, faced an existential crisis. This single industry accounts for roughly 85 per cent of Bangladesh’s total exports and 13 per cent of its GDP, employing nearly four million workers, mostly women. When global demand shifted to masks, medical textiles, gloves, and hospital clothing, Bangladesh had the orders — but no way to deliver.

That’s when India stepped in.

At the peak of the crisis, the Sheikh Hasina-led government in Dhaka reached out to New Delhi, seeking help to overcome crippling logistical hurdles. In response, India extended a critical lifeline: a trans-shipment facility via Indian ports and airports.

Why was this so important? Because Bangladesh’s own ports and airports couldn’t handle the volume. The difference was stark—shipping costs from Kolkata ranged between $2 and $2.5 per kilo, while the same cargo would cost $5 to $6 per kilo if shipped directly from Bangladesh. For Bangladeshi exporters, this facility was a game-changer. For India, it was a favour extended—free of cost—under the belief that neighbours stand by each other in times of crisis.

Here’s how the facility worked: Bangladeshi export items were transported through Indian land borders and transferred to Indian ports and airports. From there, they would be shipped to global destinations like the UAE, UK, USA, and France. Goods were trucked to Indian Land Customs Stations (LCS) like Petrapole-Benapole, and then moved to major ports such as Kolkata, Haldia, Nhava Sheva (JNPT), or airports like Delhi and Kolkata. From these Indian gateways, cargo was shipped or airlifted worldwide.

This was a beneficial arrangement for Bangladeshi exporters. Bangladesh’s airports lack the cargo-handling capacity of their Indian counterparts, and Indian airports—particularly Kolkata and Delhi—have direct flights to almost all key global routes. Beyond........

© News18