India's onion export ban brings trouble in Bangladesh PM Hasina's kitchen | Master Stroke

India's ban on export of onions has even affected Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's kitchen. The visiting PM said in a lighter vein that she has instructed her cook not to put onions in all the dishes due to the escalating prices.

Addressing the India-Bangladesh Business Forum here on Friday, Hasina said in Hindi, to everyone's pleasant surprise, that her country has been put to some trouble due to the ban on onion export by India.

"I don't know why you stopped onion export. If we had got some prior notice we could have arranged for imports from elsewhere. I have instructed my cook not to put onions in all the dishes. In future, if there is a plan for such a move, please let us know in advance," leaving her audience in smiles.

The Indian government on September 29 banned the export of onions, due to the heavy rains spoiling onion crop in large parts of the onion producing states.

Bangladesh meets most of its onion requirement through import, mostly from India.