Dear Esteemed Members,
Transforming Adversity into Opportunity: Embracing Strategic Trade Resilience
The India rubber industry has experienced significant shifts in international trade dynamics particularly in import and export markets.
Earlier, this year, the USA announced reciprocal tariffs on over 180 countries, including a 10 percent universal tariff on all imports. Now, the evolving geopolitical landscape in South Asia has given a new whirlwind.
In a strategic move to counter non-tariff barriers imposed by Bangladesh on Indian exports, India has recently enforced import restrictions on several Bangladeshi products entering the northeastern states, including Tripura. While these measures aim to protect domestic industries, Tripura’s local markets have largely remained unaffected due to the exclusion of essential commodities from the ban.
India has imposed new restrictions on imports from Bangladesh through land ports Mumbai and Kolkata.
For the Indian rubber industry, especially in the northeast which hosts a significant share of natural rubber plantations and MSMEs, these developments could pose logistical and trade-related challenges. Increased Chinese influence in Bangladesh may affect cross-border trade dynamics, market access and regional cooperation frameworks, many of which have historically benefitted our industry.
This moment calls for India’s rubber sector to strengthen its internal value chains, diversify trade partnerships, and support the government’s Act East Policy more strongly. It is also imperative that we continue engaging with our counterparts in neighboring countries, ensuring that economic diplomacy remains a bridge, not a barrier.
AIRIA is already working closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of MSME to expand supply chains, boost domestic processing capacity and strengthen infrastructure in the northeast particularly through Vendor Development Programs and trade facilitation efforts.
We will strengthen our discussion with representatives to ensure that the rubber sector remains protected from sudden geopolitical currents. At the same time, this is an opportunity to unite intra-national networks, invest in value addition, and promote research led innovation across our masses, east to west, and north to south.
AIRIA is proud to announce its annual flagship event, the National Rubber Conference (NRC) 2025, which is set to take place in the coming months. For the exact date and venue, please refer to our official event listing page inside.
Besides serving as a platform for networking opportunities with rubber technologists, industry leaders and experts, NRC also unites key investors, trade bodies, manufacturers, research and development professionals, buyers, traders and suppliers, by offering valuable insights into global and domestic market trends.
We warmly invite you to be a part of this conference and contribute to the significant discussion and progress of our Indian Rubber industry globally.
We at AIRIA are fully geared to help support, leverage and develop key strategies for long term continued success for our industry.
Warm Regards,
Shashi Kumar Singh,
President, AIRIA