Debajyoti Bagchi, VP Business Development, TT Group said, “Discontinuation of Bangladesh transit traffic through Indian LCS, presents a multifaceted impact beyond the evident geopolitical considerations. From an economic and operational perspective, this embargo at the LPAI Petrapole is expected to disrupt established vehicle demand planning cycles, particularly for routes connecting Petrapole to DEL, CCU, and BLR. The support personnel at the LPAI warehouse may experience a loss of supplemental income due to reduced operational throughput. Similarly, Customs House Agents (CHAs) may face a significant decline in workload related to the processing of BoTs, potentially affecting their earnings and employment stability. Conversely, Indian exporters who have previously raised concerns regarding congested terminal warehouses may benefit from increased availability of space for consolidation of export cargo. Airport security personnel, particularly screeners operating under the BCAS guidelines for shipments from third-world countries, may also experience reduced pressure. Additionally, this embargo could provide a competitive edge to Indian exporters, especially in the apparel sector, by mitigating external competition and potentially enhancing India’s export performance in key categories.”

Xerrxes Master, MD, Master Groups said, “India’s decision to halt the transshipment facility for Bangladeshi exports via its land borders and Delhi Air Cargo Complex aims to alleviate congestion and protect domestic exporters’ competitiveness. The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) highlighted that the influx of 20–30 Bangladeshi trucks daily into Delhi caused delays, increased air freight rates and strained logistics, especially amid the Red Sea crisis.  While this move may strain bilateral trade relations and affect Bangladesh’s export routes, it underscores India’s need to prioritize its economic interests and logistics efficiency.”  

Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics affirmed, “India’s decision to stop the transshipment of Bangladesh’s export cargo, officially citing port and airport congestion, also carries economic and geopolitical significance. With U.S. tariffs impacting Bangladesh’s garment exports, India aims to bolster its own exporters by freeing up cargo capacity. The move is also seen in the context of Bangladesh’s growing alignment with China, prompting India to assert strategic control over regional trade routes. Like all nations, India is prioritizing its economic interests—ensuring smoother cargo flow while reinforcing its trade and diplomatic influence.”

Chaitaly Mehta, Director, EKF Global said, “Industry estimates suggest about 18 per cent of Bangladesh’s garment air cargo was being flown through Indian airports. Bangladesh exports roughly 3,400 tonnes of garments by air per week, with 600 tonnes flown through Indian airports with Inditex being one of the biggest importers. The congestion and chaos that had been created at the leading airports resulted in regular Indian exporters shipments being delayed, missing flights, delayed clearances, storage charges, increased air freight rates and no or little space on the aircraft. Bangladeshi goods were being given priority over Indian goods causing losses to Indian Exporters. To me, this move will help regularise the rates and let Indian exporters meet their deadlines and have their goods reach their buyers on time. Kuddos to GOI for listening to the Trade and taking steps to protect Indian exporters and India made goods.”

Rajen Bhatia, Director, Tulsidas Khimji said, “India’s move to stop the transshipment facility for Bangladesh’s export cargo will help ease port and airport congestion by reducing the volume of third-country shipments passing through Indian logistics hubs. This will free up space and resources, allowing for faster processing of domestic and direct international cargo. As a result, cargo flow will become smoother, turnaround times will improve, and overall operational efficiency in handling, storage and transportation will be significantly enhanced.”

C K Govil, CMD, Activair Airfreight said, “India’s decision to halt the transshipment facility for Bangladesh’s export cargo aims to reduce congestion at key ports and airports. This move is expected to streamline cargo operations, enhance port efficiency and ensure smoother handling of domestic and international shipments. By alleviating the pressure on infrastructure, it will improve turnaround times, optimise resource utilisation and contribute to a more efficient logistics ecosystem for both nations in the long run.”

Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo said, “The MEA asserted that the transshipment facility extended to Bangladesh had over a period of time resulted in significant congestion at our airports and ports while logistical delays and higher costs were hindering our own exports and creating backlogs. Also, the measure was the result of ‘long standing demand’ of Indian exporters for stopping transshipment of Bangladeshi cargo, meant for shipments to third countries, through Indian ports. This will further help in rationalisation of freight rates resulting in less transportation cost to the Indian exporters besides decongesting the airports. However, this directive may adversely affect the Indian exporters based in Dhaka who used to bring their goods by road to India for further export to third countries. We also have to wait and watch as the subject decision could raise questions regarding India’s commitment under WTO provisions which mandates freedom of transit for goods to and from the landlocked countries.

Jalpa H Vithalani, Director, Global Aviation Services stated, “India’s decision to halt the transshipment facility for Bangladesh’s export cargo is a strategic move to address congestion at key ports and airports. This step is expected to streamline cargo movement, reduce delays, and enhance operational efficiency for Indian logistics hubs. By prioritizing domestic cargo handling and optimizing infrastructure usage, the move will likely improve turnaround times and create a smoother flow of goods, ultimately benefiting trade stakeholders on both sides.”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “The halt of transshipment facility for Bangladesh’s export cargo will significantly ease congestion at major international Indian Airports, mainly at Delhi and Kolkata.  This move will streamline export movement from India, ensuring smoother operations and faster turnaround. With reduced congestion, airlines are expected to stabilize freight charges, which had surged due to excess Bangladesh cargo. As a result, Indian exporters can benefit from more competitive freight rates, enhancing their global competitiveness and export efficiency.”

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl) is rolling out 5G across its terminal to allow increased automation of cargo handling and to boost global operations. The company statement stated that utilising a 5G network, which is being implemented by telecommunications firm HKT, will allow it to develop an “interconnected ecosystem” that will aid the future adoption of new technology. For example, Hactl said the 5G private network will enable Hactl’s Autonomous Electric Tractors (AET) to efficiently transport cargo with real-time coordination and dynamically adapt to traffic and safety protocols, reducing the need for human intervention. The company will also be able to deploy security robots equipped with AI-powered video analytics and 5G private network that will continuously patrol cargo areas and transmit live footage to Hactl’s Security Control Centre over a dedicated, secure 5G mobile channel for real-time surveillance and instant threat detection and response.