NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s acting high commissioner to India Nural Islam to the South Block at 2 pm on Monday to discuss ongoing border security issues. During the meeting, India reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border and highlighted its “expectation that all previous agreements will be implemented.”
The MEA noted India’s adherence to the protocols and agreements on border security measures, including fencing, as agreed upon by the two governments of the neighboring nations and the respective border forces, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
India also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a crime-free border, addressing challenges such as cross border smugglingcriminal activities and trafficking. Key measures such as barbed wire fencingborder lighting, technical facilities and livestock fencing were highlighted as crucial to securing the border.
The diplomatic engagement comes after Bangladesh summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma a day earlier to discuss a cooperative strategy to tackle border crime.
After the meeting, Verma reaffirmed the understanding between BSF and BGB on border security measures. “We hope that this understanding will be implemented, ensuring a cooperative approach to combat crimes along the border,” Verma said.
However, Bangladesh Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury attributed border tensions to “unequal agreements” signed during the tenure of a previous government. “These deals have caused multiple complications along the Bangladesh-India border,” Chowdhury said.
Tensions have been running high recently, particularly after objections from the BGB last week when the BSF attempted to install a single-row barbed wire fence at Sukdevpur in Malda’s Baishnabnagar. Concerns about infiltration in the area have added to strained relations between India and Bangladesh.