Decision to export hilsha to India to serve greater interest

 
The interim government's Finance and Commerce Adviser and Bangladesh Bank's former Governor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has said that the government has decided to export hilsha fish to India to serve a greater interest which will consolidate bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh in the long run.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed made the above remarks in his ministry at the Secretariat while speaking to journalists on Sunday. Earlier on Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter had said on 11 August 2024 that first the people of Bangladesh would consume hilsha fish and then the surplus hilshas can be considered for exporting abroad.

This comment by Farida Akhter caused a restless situation in India where hilsha was exported during almost all the previous years, particularly when the festive season of Durga Puja for Hindu devotees arrived. Arguments both supporting and opposing this statement flooded social media and also put India-Bangladesh ties into trouble to some extent for the time being.

However, the Commerce Ministry issued an order on Saturday (21 September 2024) that 3 thousand tons of hilsha would be exported to India, cancelling the above statement previously made by Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter. 

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that the decision to export hilsha fish to India would be beneficial for Bangladesh to retain friendly affiliations with neighbouring country India.