Bangladesh's interim govt clarified Monday that hilsa fish was not being sent as a gift to India but as an export to help Dhaka earn foreign currency.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to ministry of environment, forests and climate change, said they did not want to keep the door for discussions with India closed over small matters.
"The decision came from the top level," she said, and emphasised that the export value of hilsa was significant and should not be underestimated.
"The price has already increased so it's not accurate to say prices will rise further due to export. This matter is under govt's consideration."
Bangladesh on Saturday said it would export 3,000 metric tonnes of hilsa to India ahead of
Durga puja.