Border Fence Row: India Summons Bangladesh's Envoy
India summoned Bangladesh's acting High Commissioner, Nural Islam, on Monday to address concerns over the stalled border fencing project, urging Dhaka to implement previous agreements aimed at preventing illegal activities along the border.
While Bangladesh has halted work on the barbed wire fencing, India stressed its importance for securing the border and ensuring a crime-free zone.
The meeting followed Bangladesh’s summoning of Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to discuss India's unapproved construction of fences, which Dhaka argued undermines bilateral relations.
During the meeting with Islam, India conveyed that with regard to security measures at the border, including on fencing, India observed all protocols and agreements between the two countries and between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
"India reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crimefree 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," said India's Ministry of External Affairs. "India conveyed its expectation that all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh and that there will a cooperative approach to combating cross-border crimes."
BSF, BGB set for talks on border fence dispute
The director general (DG)-level talks between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), now scheduled for the third week of February, is likely to focus on resolving the dispute over India's proposed single-row fence along the Indo-Bangladesh border, The Times of India reports.
The BSF had to halt the fence construction in Malda and Dakshin Dinajpur districts after BGB raised objections, despite prior approvals.
The talks will address the issue, alongside other tensions, including the killing of a Bangladeshi national by BSF personnel.
The previous talks, initially set for November, were postponed at Bangladesh's request.
General Dwivedi reaffirms India-Bangladesh military cooperation
India's Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated on Monday that India and Bangladesh are "strategically important" neighbours, with any animosity not serving the interests of either nation.
He noted that the military relationship remains strong, with ongoing contact between him and Bangladesh’s counterpart, General Waker-Uz-Zaman.
Although joint military exercises are currently on hold due to the political situation in Bangladesh, General Dwivedi confirmed that cooperation continues through regular exchanges, including three Indian officers attending the National Defence College (NDC) course in Dhaka.