New Delhi: India on Monday (January 13) summoned the acting Bangladesh high commissioner, Md Nurul Islam, to convey that it had followed all protocols and agreements, a day after Dhaka summoned the Indian envoy and protested the resumption of border fencing, calling it unauthorised.
Confirming that the senior Bangladesh diplomat was summoned to the foreign office, a Ministry of External Affairs press release stated that regarding fencing measures, “India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh.”
The statement added, “India reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking. Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border.”
India further conveyed its expectation that “all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh and that there will be a cooperative approach to combating cross-border crimes.”
While relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August, the latest diplomatic fracas began when India resumed construction for a barbed wire fence at Dahagram border on January 10. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials objected to construction, which led India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to abandon the construction near the Dahagram border in Lalmonirhat’s Patgram district.
Two days later on Sunday morning, the matter got escalated when Bangladesh’s home affairs adviser, retired lieutenant general Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury confirmed that the BSF stopped its work.
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A few hours later, the Bangladesh foreign secretary Md Jashim Uddin summoned the Indian high commissioner Pranay Varma and conveyed “deep concern” to high commissioner Verma “over the recent activities of the Border Security Force of India along the Bangladesh-India border.”
“He stressed that such activities, particularly the unauthorised attempt to construct barbed wire fencing and related operational actions by the BSF, have caused tensions and disturbances along the border,” the statement said.
The note further highlighted that Jashim Uddin underscored how the “construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries.”
“He hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would provide an opportunity to discuss the matter in detail,” the statement added.
During the meeting, the Bangladesh foreign secretary voiced “deep concern and disappointment” over the alleged killing of a Bangladeshi citizen at Sunamganj by the BSF. The secretary urged Indian authorities to take swift action to prevent such incidents from happening again and demanded thorough investigations into all border killings.
Commenting on the death of the Bangladeshi citizen, Jashim Uddin said that what was “matter of grave concern was that despite repeated firm commitments from the Indian authorities to pursue non-lethal strategy and to stop killings, such incidents of killing have been continuing.”
According to the 2023-24 Annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs, 3196.705 kms out of the 4096.7-km long border with Bangladesh had been fenced.
Bangladesh claims that building any structures within 150 yards of the zero line is a violation of international law. India had, however, pointed out that a 2010 agreement between the two countries allows for border fencing within 150 yards based on “humanitarian concerns and geographical realities” and if both sides agree.
During a press briefing on Sunday, Bangladesh’s home affairs adviser Chowdhury, criticised the previous Hasina government for allowing India to undertake certain border activities that, he claimed, were against Bangladesh’s interests.
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“From 2010 to 2023, India constructed fences in 160 locations, creating complications. Another 78 spots also face issues and recently, disputes have arisen at five locations, including Chapainawabganj, the Tin Bigha Corridor in Lalmonirhat, Patnitala in Naogaon, Feni, Kushtia and Cumilla,” he said.
Meanwhile, on December 23, Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite Hasina, over four months after she came to India on “short notice” after escaping Dhaka on a military plane as crowds surged to oust her from power.
