Dhaka, July 31 -- As Durga Puja 2025 approaches, uncertainty surrounds whether Bangladesh will maintain its cherished tradition of exporting Hilsa from the Padma River to India. In anticipation of the festival, the Fish Importers Association of West Bengal has formally requested the interim government of Bangladesh to permit Hilsa exports this year.

On Tuesday, the association sent an official letter to Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain seeking authorisation to import Hilsa in time for the religious celebrations. The traders expressed their gratitude for the previous year's approval of a 2,420 metric ton export quota, although only a fraction of that quantity reached India.

"Thanks to your kind intervention last year, permission wa...