Indo-Bangla Border Tensions: The Indian External Affairs Ministry on Monday (January 13) summoned Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner Nooral Islam over border issues. Islam was seen leaving South Block after being summoned by the External Affairs Ministry. This development comes a day after the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry on Sunday (January 12) summoned Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Prannoy Verma to the Bangladesh Foreign Office to discuss border issues. Dhaka had earlier alleged that India was trying to erect fencing at five places along the India-Bangladesh border, which is a violation of the bilateral agreement.
The neighboring country had said India was creating “disturbance” in the region. During his meeting with Bangladeshi officials, Verma said the two countries “have an understanding regarding border fencing for security.” He said India’s efforts to ensure a crime-free border were also discussed.
“Ambassador Mohammad Jashim Uddin, the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, briefed India’s High Commissioner Prannoy Verma at his office in the Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday about the recent activities of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bangladesh-India border,” the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. But expressed the deep concern of the Government of Bangladesh.
Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin expressed Bangladesh’s deep concern over the recent border tensions during a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Prannoy Verma at the Indian External Affairs Ministry in Dhaka on Sunday. “Foreign Secretary Ambassador Mohammad Jashim Uddin today presented the Government of Bangladesh’s letter to the High Commissioner of India, Prannoy Verma, at his office in the Ministry of External Affairs, regarding the recent activities of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bangladesh-India border,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Expressed deep concern.”
Verma told the media after the meeting, “There is mutual understanding between us regarding fencing of the border for security. Talks are going on between BSF and BGB (Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh) in this regard. We hope that mutual understanding will be implemented and a collaborative approach will be adopted to combat crime.”
Why is the dispute increasing between India and Bangladesh?
The development came hours after Bangladesh alleged that India was trying to erect fencing at five places along the India-Bangladesh border in violation of bilateral agreements. According to the statement, the Foreign Secretary stressed that such activities, especially unauthorized attempts to erect barbed wire fencing and related operational actions by the BSF, have led to tension and unrest along the border.
Referring to the recent killing of a Bangladeshi national in alleged BSF action in Sunamganj, the Foreign Secretary expressed deep concern and dismay at the recurrence of such incidents along the border, the statement said. Jashim Uddin urged the Government of India to advise all concerned authorities in India to avoid any provocative action, as it could escalate tensions along the shared border.
The advisor said India has already fenced 3,271 km of the 4,156 km long border with Bangladesh and about 885 km of the border remains unfenced. He accused the previous government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of providing unfair opportunities to India, which led to the controversy over the installation of barbed wire fencing at 160 places between 2010 and 2023.
Also read- Indo-Bangla Border Tensions: Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh met Indian High Commissioner, expressed concern over border tension.
He claimed that under the 1974 agreement, Bangladesh had handed over Berubari to India after parliamentary approval. He said that in return India was to provide access to the Teen Bigha corridor to Bangladesh, but it failed to fulfill this commitment.
#WATCH | Delhi: Nural Islam, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India leaves from South Block after he was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs
More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/WlF3UIArrR — ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025