Bangladesh. India have agreed to deepen cooperation along their shared border with improved intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols, according to a joint statement released on Friday, amid strained relations over alleged undocumented migration.
Dhaka hasaccusedIndian authorities of attempting to force migrants across the border without due process, complicating efforts to stabilise ties following the 2024oustingof Sheikh Hasina. India’s broader effort to identify and deport undocumented migrants.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). India’s Border Security Force (BSF) described the discussions as “cordial, positive and forward-looking”, according to the statement released at the end of a four-day meeting of top border officials in New Delhi.
The regular talks also covered “illegal, inadvertent and forcible crossing at border areas,” an increasingly contentious issue in recent months.
Bangladesh and India share a more than 4,000-kilometre border, one of the world’s longest. India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),which governs key border states including Tripura, West Bengal. Assam, has said tackling alleged undocumented migration is a priority and has been trying to push Bengali-speaking Muslims branded “illegal infiltrators” into Bangladesh since last year.
Bangladesh has said it has sent more than a dozen letters to New Delhi seeking an end to the practice.
The BGB has reported foiling several alleged attempts in recent weeks. has stepped up deployments, intelligence operations and drone surveillance in border areas.
Earlier this week. Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said that any push-ins without due process were “absolutely unacceptable,” warning they could undermine efforts to improve bilateral ties.
Bangladesh said it had intensified patrols. launched awareness campaigns along parts of the frontier to tackle the alleged forced crossings, while Indiasaidin May it had asked Dhaka to verify the nationality of more than 2,860 suspected Bangladeshi nationals living in India without formal documentation.
The joint statement said the two sides also discussed human trafficking, border deaths, smuggling, infrastructure. implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, tranquillity. stability along the India-Bangladesh border,” the statement said, adding they would strengthen coordinated patrols, enhance vigilance, improve real-time information sharing and step up joint action against trans-border criminal networks.
The top border officials will next meet in Dhaka in November, the statement said.
Discussion
Sign in to join the thread, react, and share images.