Bangladesh has formally requested the Indian government to withdraw the ban suddenly imposed on onion export, reminding an unwritten understanding between the neighbours.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told reporters that Bangladesh raised the issue with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs through the High Commission in New Delhi immediately after noticing the ban.
He said there was an unwritten understanding that India will inform Bangladesh beforehand while taking any decision on such a ban.
The foreign ministry on Wednesday also sent a letter to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka requesting to withdraw the ban following the rise of onion price in the market.
The foreign ministry also took measures to import onions from other international markets.
“The Government has decided to import onions from multiple sources to ensure enough supply of the key cooking ingredient in the local markets, '' the foreign ministry said in its official facebok page.
“In line with the decision, the Government has already taken steps to import onions from Turkey and Egypt. The consignment of the onions is expected to reach Chittagong port early next month.”
The state minister earlier said there was an unwritten understanding that India will inform Bangladesh beforehand while taking any decision on such a ban.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her New Delhi visit in October last year also raised the issue when India imposed a ban on onion export.
“I wish you had informed us before suddenly putting a halt in export of onions. I had to tell my cook I’ve no other option but to have my food without onions. I would request India to please inform us beforehand while taking such an action. After all, we’re neighbours,” Sheikh Hasina said in Hindi at a programme in India in October last year, according to Indian media.
After that, onion import from India became normal.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Wednesday, however, said there is enough stock of onions in the country.
