India, May 18 -- Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeastern states are a captive market for its exports while denying the region market access, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday after New Delhi imposed restrictions on imports of ready-made garments and other goods from the neighbouring country.

India on Saturday restricted imports of ready-made garments (RMG) from Bangladesh only to Kolkata and Nhava Sheva ports and barred imports of a range of consumer goods through 13 land border posts in the northeast and West Bengal in response to restrictions adopted by Dhaka. The move on RMG is expected to have a significant impact on Bangladesh as its annual exports of these items to India are worth about $700 million.

"Bangladesh...