India imposed restrictions on the import of certain goods, including readymade garments (RMG) and processed food items, through certain land ports from Bangladesh with immediate effect. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India issued a notification in this regard. These restrictions came after Bangladesh restricted Indian cotton via sea ports, closing land ports, a diplomatic source told our sister newsagency UNB.

The Indian government said such port restrictions will not apply to Bangladesh goods transiting through India but destined for Nepal and Bhutan. The import of all kinds of RMG from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port. However, it is allowed only through Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports, the notification reads. According to EPB data, Bangladesh's top export to India is ready-made garments. Bangladeshi entrepreneurs exported garments worth $548.8 million to India in the 2023-24 fiscal.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Asad Alam Siam is likely to be the next Foreign Secretary of the country, with an acting foreign secretary in place till he takes office. The government decided to remove Md Jashim Uddin from the post around two weeks ago. The matter was discussed at a meeting of the advisory committee on appointments, transfers, and disciplinary matters in the Foreign Ministry. If there is no further change in the decision of the government, Ambassador Siam will replace Md Jashim Uddin.

Jashim Uddin stopped attending official meetings, both local and international. Notably, on May 15, Nazrul Islam, secretary (East), led the Bangladesh delegation at a foreign secretary-level meeting with Japan in Tokyo. He, along with Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Switzerland Tareq Md Ariful Islam and Siam, were in a shortlist from which the next top diplomat of the country was chosen. Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said Jashim Uddin would be reassigned to a new role.

National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman ruled out any possibility of allowing a corridor through Bangladesh for Myanmar, saying the government has neither discussed nor intends to discuss such a proposal with any party. He clarified that current discussions with the UN are solely focused on facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid such as food and medicine through some channels to Myanmar's Rakhine State, which is facing a serious humanitarian crisis. Khalilur Rahman emphasised that any future decisions in this regard will be made in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

However, on the same day, sources said the decision to this effect was actually announced at a durbar of the Bangladesh Army, which preceded the press briefing by the NSA, General Waker-uz-Zaman is said to have put his foot down on the issue. At the durbar, which was attended by all army officers deployed in all cantonments and UN missions of the country, except those on duty, he said that "only an elected political government can take such a decision by following the proper procedure".

Garment factory owners must settle all outstanding wages of their workers by May 28, or face arrest and imprisonment, warned Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Wednesday. He came up with the warning while speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat after a meeting on Eid-ul-Azha preparations. Warrants have already been issued and if the owners are found abroad, red alerts will be activated through the proper channels, he said.

"There were plans for workers to besiege the Labour Ministry and Jamuna buildings. The factories are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industries and Commerce, but somehow the responsibility is falling on me. On Tuesday, we sat with the factory owners and it was decided that they would clear workers' dues by May 28 - even if they have to sell their houses to do so. If they fail, arrest warrants could be issued," the adviser said. "They must pay the workers - whether by selling houses or vehicles. Anyone who can't pay workers has no place in this sector."