New Delhi: Despite ongoing political tensions between India and Bangladesh, India has dispatched a second consignment of 16,400 tonnes of rice to its neighbor. The rice shipment arrived at Bangladesh’s Mongla Port on Saturday, with two ships carrying the goods from India.
The Panama-flagged BMC Alpha, which departed from Dhamra Port in India, delivered 7,700 tonnes of rice, while the Thailand-flagged MV Sea Forest, arriving from Kolkata Port, brought 8,700 tonnes. The unloading process is scheduled to begin on February 3, according to Siddiqur Rahman Jalal, manager of Mango Shipping Lines.
This follows the first shipment of rice, which arrived on January 20. Under an agreement between the two countries, Bangladesh is set to receive 300,000 tonnes of rice from India, with 40% of the shipments being handled at Mongla Port and the rest at Chittagong Port.
The delivery comes amid escalating political unrest in Bangladesh, following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Tensions between the two nations have risen since Hasina fled to India, with Bangladesh issuing an arrest warrant for her and seeking her extradition. Despite these issues, India continues to honor its commitments to assist Bangladesh with food supplies.
