India Summons Top Bangladeshi Diplomat Over Border Fencing Row Day After Dhaka's Move

Last Updated:January 13, 2025, 15:35 IST

This came after Bangladesh's Foreign Office summoned Indian envoy Pranay Verma to discuss border-related issues between the two countries.

Bangladesh's deputy High Commissioner leaves after being summoned to South Block. (ANI)

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday summoned Bangladesh’s deputy High Commissioner Nural Islam over border-related issues. Islam was seen leaving from South Block after he was summoned by the MEA.

The development took place a day after the Bangladeshi foreign ministry on Sunday summoned Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma to the Bangladesh Foreign Office to discuss border-related issues.

Dhaka had previously alleged that India was trying to construct fences at five locations along the Indo-Bangla border, violating a bilateral agreement and creating “disturbances" in the region.

During his meeting with Bangladeshi officials, Verma said both countries “have understandings with regard to fencing the border for security", adding that India’s efforts to ensure a crime-free border were also discussed.

“Our two border guard enforcements – BSF and BGB (Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh) – have been in communication in this regard. We expect that this understanding will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crimes along the border," Verma told the media.

The India-Bangladesh border, one of the longest international boundaries, has frequently witnessed tensions, including disputes over border security and cross-border movements. Five Bangladeshis were arrested on Monday from West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district for allegedly entering India illegally, hiding their identities and working at a local cloth mill, according to police.

India-Bangladesh Border Tensions: What’s The Issue?

Tensions escalated last week when fencing work in the Sukdevpur area of Malda’s Kaliachak III block was briefly paused on Monday after the BGB claimed it was being conducted on Bangladeshi territory. However, the issue was resolved through discussions, and construction resumed without further disruptions the next day.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Jashim Uddin expressed “deep concern" over “unauthorised attempts to construct barbed wire fencing have caused tensions and disturbances along the border" during the meeting with Verma, according to a press release by the Bangladesh foreign ministry.

“He emphasised that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorization undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighboring countries. He hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would be able to discuss the matter at length," the press release by Bangladesh foreign ministry said.

The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary also expressed “deep concern and disappointment" over the alleged killing of a Bangladeshi citizen at Sunamganj.

Prior to this, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that India halted construction of barbed wire fencing along the border due to the strong opposition from the Border Guard Bangladesh and locals.

Addressing a media briefing, Chowdhury said that due to some unequal agreements signed during the previous government’s tenure, “several issues have arisen along the Bangladesh-India border".

“However, the efforts of our people and the BGB have forced India to stop certain activities, including the construction of barbed wire fences." Chowdhury said Bangladesh and India have four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to govern border activities.

Chowdhary said the 1975 MoU specifies that no development with defence potential can take place within 150 yards of the zero line. “Another MoU states that no development activities can occur within this boundary without mutual consent. Any such work requires prior agreement between the two nations," he said.

The adviser said India has already fenced 3,271 kilometres of the 4,156-kilometer-long border with Bangladesh, leaving approximately 885 kilometres unfenced. He also accused the previous Sheikh Hasina-led government of granting India unequal opportunities.

Several border meetings have taken place between both sides to resolve the issues and sources in BSF earlier told News18 that they believed flag meetings would help resolve the stand-off and kick-start the fencing work.

(with PTI inputs)

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