Bangladesh has approved the export of 1,200 metric tonnes of hilsa to India, issuing a notification on Monday just weeks before Durga Puja. The decision comes after weeks of anticipation and is likely to brighten menus as families prepare for the festival.

Hilsa (ilish) holds deep cultural value in West Bengal, where the fish is as much part of Durga Puja celebrations as the rituals themselves. From mustard-prepared ilish to fried hilsa with rice, demand traditionally soars during the festival.

Cross-border hilsa trade has also long reflected the state of India–Bangladesh ties: exports were completely banned between 2012 and 2018 amid tensions over the Teesta water-sharing dispute.

This year’s export approval, however, comes with a notably smaller quota and at a politically sensitive moment following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from office last August.

Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, hailed the move on X, writing: “Ilish (Hilsa) is coming! The Bangladesh Government just decided to export the quintessential fish to India ahead of festival seasons, as a mark of enduring friendship.”

Traders say availability will be limited and prices will likely stay high. In the previous round of permissions, Bangladesh had allowed 2,420 tonnes but only 577 tonnes were actually imported because of low availability. With the current quota set at 1,200 tonnes, importers remain cautious about how much will reach Indian markets.

“The position in Bangladesh is bad. There is not enough land, so I don’t know what will happen. Whether we will be able to import the whole quantity or not is uncertain,” said Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Fish Importers’ Association. He added that while the export decision could help bridge ties between the two countries, practical supply constraints and price pressures are real concerns for traders and consumers alike.

For now, the announcement offers hope to many Bengalis eager for the seasonal delicacy, even as they brace for the possibility of paying a premium for the prized fish this Durga Puja.