India-Bangladesh relations were already going off the rails, now tensions have flared up regarding the border as well. This situation has come when Bangladesh has accused India of firing on the Bangladeshi border, while India says that it had taken action to deal with smugglers. The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry had summoned the Indian High Commissioner in this matter and after a meeting of about half an hour, the Indian High Commissioner gave a blunt reply to the Yunus government.
India on Sunday (January 12, 2025) appealed to Bangladesh to implement the existing agreements on border management and adopt a cooperative approach to deal with border crimes.
Recently, tension has increased after the Border Security Force (BSF) took action to stop Bangladeshi smugglers. Dhaka claims that India is trying to erect border fencing at five places, which is a violation of bilateral agreements.
Indian High Commissioner meets Foreign Secretary
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 in Dhaka on Sunday. Government news agency ‘BSS’ had earlier reported that Verma had been “summoned” by the External Affairs Ministry to discuss the rising tension on the border. The press release issued by the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry said that this word has not been used.
Tension over fencing on India-Bangladesh border
Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said in a statement, “Foreign Secretary Ambassador Mohammad Jashim Uddin today briefed the Government of Bangladesh regarding the recent activities of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bangladesh-India border before the High Commissioner of India Prannoy Verma at his office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Expressed deep concern.” According to BSS news, Verma reached the Ministry of External Affairs at around 3 pm (local time). His meeting with the Foreign Secretary lasted for about 45 minutes.
India’s commitment to create a crime-free border
Verma told the media after the meeting, “I met the Foreign Secretary and discussed India’s commitment to ensure a crime-free border and effectively deal with the challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals and human trafficking.” He said, “There is a 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 the mutual understanding will be implemented.” “Will be done and a cooperative attitude will be adopted to deal with crime.”
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