‘Slight dip, not drastic’: Amid diplomatic tensions, Bangladesh traders continue to find buyers in Kolkata
Many Bangladeshi traders are selling famous sarees like Dhakai Jamdani, Muslin, and Tangail at IIGTF 2025 at the Science City Ground
2 min read
A Bangladeshi seller shows a saree to a prospective customer at the IIGTF 2025, in Kolkata on Wednesday. (Express photo by Partha Paul)Written by Anisha Ghosh and Parthivee Mukherji
Amidst the ongoing political and diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh, saree traders from across the eastern borders are not only continuing their active participation in The India International Grand Trade Fair (IIGTF) 2025 at the Science City Ground in Kolkata — a major trade event — but are also selling in other major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
The ongoing diplomatic unease follows the student movement in Bangladesh that forced the resignation of Sheikh Hasina in August last year, following which she fled to India.
In Kolkata, commerce seems to have a fluctuating relationship with politics. Many Bangladeshi traders are still selling famous sarees like Dhakai Jamdani, Muslin and Tangail, which are loved by Indian buyers for their beauty and craftsmanship. Indian customers are showing strong interest and buying these sarees in large numbers.
Ayat Jamdani’s Rohan, a Bangladeshi trader at IIGTF, said, “We started business 40 years ago. We have our own production in Dhaka, Narayanganj. The business was better in our grandparents’ era as people didn’t have access to online shopping then.”
He added, “Due to digitisation, we have faced a major dip in sales. In fact, business was better before the Covid-induced pandemic. Nowadays, it’s mostly the repeat customers who drive sales.”
Md Naseeruddin Opu, another Bangladeshi saree trader at the IIGTF said, “There hasn’t been a drastic change. Traders from India go to Bangladesh and vice-versa. That is how it should be.”
“There are two out of 100 people who talk of the conflict between the two countries and say they won’t buy from us but that apart, everything is fine. We have been participating in this fair for the last 30 years. It’s just that business was better before. Although Durga Puja is around the corner, the response is not up to the mark,” he added.
Md Nazmul Khan, a trader who focuses on Jamdani sarees, said before Hasina left Bangladesh, business was better in his country. “I love Indian culture, but the problem is, I can’t stay here,” he said.
(Anisha Ghosh and Parthivee Mukherji are interns with The Indian Express)
You May Like
