The return of hilsa diplomacy has as soon as once more bridged borders in time for a festive celebration.
KOLKATA/DHAKA: Fish merchants in Kolkata had all however given up hope of importing “Padmar ilish” this 12 months, in what appeared like the last word crimson herring because of the political upheaval in Bangladesh. However in a shock transfer, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt introduced on Saturday the approval of three,000 tonne of the prized hilsa fish for export to India simply in time for Durga puja.
The announcement follows persistent requests from exporters in Bangladesh and Kolkata’s fish merchants. Bangladesh, the world’s largest hilsa producer, stays eager to make sure home customers nonetheless have entry to the fish.
The demand for contemporary hilsa from Bangladesh is immense in Bengal. “Some merchants are promoting frozen hilsa from Myanmar, which lacks the style of hilsa from the Padma-Meghna river system that connoisseurs in Bengal recognize,” Fish Importers’ Affiliation secretary Syed Anwar Maqsood mentioned.
The backdrop of this hilsa diplomacy is advanced. Former PM Sheikh Hasina had banned the export of hilsa to India in 2012, after talks over Teesta water-sharing settlement stalled. Whereas Hasina lifted the ban earlier than Durga puja in 2019, the brand new political panorama in Bangladesh had led many to consider that hilsa commerce was unlikely to renew.
Merchants estimate costs in Kolkata market will hover between Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000 a kg, relying on the provision. Resumption of hilsa exports underscores significance of this fish in broader cultural and diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and India. Whether or not the catch meets expectations stays to be seen, however return of hilsa diplomacy has once more bridged borders in time for a festive celebration.
The announcement follows persistent requests from exporters in Bangladesh and Kolkata’s fish merchants. Bangladesh, the world’s largest hilsa producer, stays eager to make sure home customers nonetheless have entry to the fish.
The demand for contemporary hilsa from Bangladesh is immense in Bengal. “Some merchants are promoting frozen hilsa from Myanmar, which lacks the style of hilsa from the Padma-Meghna river system that connoisseurs in Bengal recognize,” Fish Importers’ Affiliation secretary Syed Anwar Maqsood mentioned.
The backdrop of this hilsa diplomacy is advanced. Former PM Sheikh Hasina had banned the export of hilsa to India in 2012, after talks over Teesta water-sharing settlement stalled. Whereas Hasina lifted the ban earlier than Durga puja in 2019, the brand new political panorama in Bangladesh had led many to consider that hilsa commerce was unlikely to renew.
Merchants estimate costs in Kolkata market will hover between Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000 a kg, relying on the provision. Resumption of hilsa exports underscores significance of this fish in broader cultural and diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and India. Whether or not the catch meets expectations stays to be seen, however return of hilsa diplomacy has once more bridged borders in time for a festive celebration.
