Bangladesh may not export Hilsa (ilish) fish to India during the upcoming Durga Puja festival as the country aims to prioritise local consumption over international trade. Farida Akhter, the Bangladesh interim government's adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, conveyed this during a statement to the media, emphasising the need to ensure sufficient supply for the domestic market. Bangladesh, which produces 70-80% of the world's Hilsa, faces the challenge of maintaining this national treasure.


"We cannot allow ilish to be exported while our own people cannot buy them. This year, I have instructed the Ministry of Commerce to prevent any ilish exports to India during Durga Puja," Akhter stated last week, as quoted by Dhaka Tribune. "Protecting ilish breeding grounds and sanctuaries is crucial. Without proper management, production will suffer," she warned, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices.


Akhter also indicated that stricter measures would be enforced to curb the illegal smuggling of Hilsa, particularly across the border to India.


It must be noted that there is no official order regarding a ban on the export of the Hilsa fish so far. According to some reports, the interim government in Bangladesh might take this decision to halt the exports due to the anti-India sentiment in the country while its ousted premier Sheikh Hasina continues to be in India after she was forced to flee Dhaka.


Bangladeshi Hilsa, especially from the Padma River, holds a special place in Bengali cuisine, with dishes like Hilsa and khichdi common to the Durga Puja celebrations. Despite other Hilsa-exporting countries in the region, including Myanmar, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Thailand, and domestic production in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, Bangladeshi Hilsa remains highly sought after.


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‘Hilsa Diplomacy’


This decision marks a departure from the tradition of Bangladesh exporting large consignments of Padma Hilsa to India, particularly West Bengal, during the festive season. Under Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh sent Hilsa to India between August and October as a goodwill gesture.


However, this is not the first time when India will not receive the Bangladeshi Hilsa. The neighbouring country imposed a ban on Hilsa exports in July 2012 due to high domestic demand and concerns over the netting of smaller-sized fish. The move had prompted the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government to urge the Centre to negotiate with Bangladesh regarding resuming the supply, according to The Telegraph. Mamata also made a direct request to then-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina during a one-on-one meeting in February 2015. The ban was temporarily lifted in September 2020, allowing Hilsa exports to India ahead of Durga Puja.


The neighbourly relations along with shared culture and love for the Hilsa also lead to the term ‘Hilsa diplomacy’.


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Last year, the first consignment of Padma Hilsa arrived in Bengal on 21 September through the Petrapole land port. Nine cargo trucks carrying a total of 45 tonnes of Hilsa from Barishal were sent as part of a special gesture by Bangladesh's commerce ministry, which allowed 79 exporters to send 3,950 tonnes of Hilsa to India during Durga Puja, The Telegraph reported.