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India summons Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner after Dhaka summons Indian envoy: Reports

  • India summoned Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner to discuss border tensions over fencing and border security measures
  • Bangladesh condemned the killing of Saidul Islam by BSF, citing concerns over repeated border violence
  • India and Bangladesh continue diplomatic discussions to address border security, smuggling, and implementation of bilateral agreements

13 Jan 2025

India summons Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner after Dhaka summons Indian envoy: Reports

India's Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner, Nural Islam, on Monday in response to rising tensions over border security measures along the India-Bangladesh border. This action follows a meeting between Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, and Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, Md. Jashim Uddin, held on Sunday to address ongoing issues related to the construction of fences at five specific locations along the 4,096.7-kilometre border. Bangladesh has raised concerns that these activities might breach an agreement signed by both countries regarding border security and management.

The dispute gained further intensity following the death of Saidul Islam, a Bangladeshi citizen, on January 10. Islam was allegedly shot by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Sunamganj, Bangladesh, after he was found attempting to smuggle betel nuts into India. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry expressed its deep concern over the incident, condemning the killing as part of a broader pattern of border killings attributed to the BSF. The statement highlighted that such killings were harmful to the bilateral relationship and raised concerns regarding the methods employed by the BSF to prevent cross-border crime.

The meeting between Verma and Uddin involved discussions on a range of border security issues, including the ongoing fencing efforts. Verma emphasized India’s commitment to securing the border and addressing criminal activities such as smuggling and human trafficking. He clarified that India’s approach is grounded in the necessity to combat trans-border crime and that the BSF and Bangladesh's Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have maintained ongoing communication to address security challenges. Verma also underscored India’s adherence to previous agreements and expressed hope that both countries would work together to enhance security along the border.

In recent months, India has been intensifying its border security measures, which include the construction of fences in specific areas prone to illegal activity. However, these efforts have been met with resistance from Bangladesh, particularly over the construction of fences in areas such as Sukdevpur in Malda district, West Bengal, and Cooch Behar, where local populations and authorities have raised concerns about the legality of these actions. Bangladesh has requested India halt these unauthorized construction activities, citing violations of existing bilateral agreements and urging India to respect agreements related to the management and security of the border.

India and Bangladesh share the longest land border in the world, and both nations have established various cooperation mechanisms to manage border security and prevent criminal activities. The BSF and BGB have regular meetings to discuss border security, and there have been coordinated efforts to curb cross-border trafficking, smuggling, and human trafficking. Both border forces have also been engaged in efforts to counter terrorism and insurgency activities, particularly in the northeastern regions of India. The countries have, over the years, worked on initiatives to demarcate the border and minimize illegal crossings through joint patrols and coordinated security operations.

Despite these cooperation mechanisms, tensions have periodically flared up due to incidents along the border. The border killings, disputes over fencing, and allegations of unauthorized actions by the BSF have exacerbated these tensions. The Bangladesh government has consistently urged India to resolve these issues through dialogue and adherence to previous agreements, while India has reiterated the importance of securing the border against illegal activity. Both countries have indicated the need for continued diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation and ensure stability along their shared border.

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India summons Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner
India summoned Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner to discuss border tensions over fencing and border security measures





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