India Summons Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner Over Border Issue

India summoned Bangladesh's envoy over border tensions after Bangladesh summoned India's envoy over alleged border construction violations.

Bangladesh's Deputy High Commissioner to India Nural Islam spotted leaving from South Block after he was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Source : ANI

India summoned Bangladesh's acting High Commissioner, Md. Nural Islam, on Monday and conveyed that New Delhi has adhered to all established protocols in the construction of fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border. This move follows a similar action by Bangladesh, which had summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma the previous day to express its concerns over the activities of the Border Security Force (BSF).

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that during the meeting, India reiterated to Islam that it has strictly followed all agreements between the two governments regarding border security measures. The MEA highlighted that India expects Bangladesh to implement all prior understandings and adopt a cooperative approach in addressing cross-border crimes.

Islam was summoned to the South Block at 2 pm on Monday, where India conveyed that it had fully complied with security protocols, including fencing and related measures. "India has adhered to all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh," the MEA said in a statement.

Further, India emphasised its commitment to maintaining a crime-free border, with a focus on addressing issues like smuggling, the movement of criminals, and human trafficking. The MEA stated, "Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border."

"India conveyed its expectation that all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh and that there will be a cooperative approach to combating cross-border crimes," the ministry added.

According to the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency, Verma met Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin at Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry around 3:00 pm (local time) on Sunday. The meeting lasted approximately 45 minutes. Although the interim government did not release an official statement, officials said that Verma had been summoned.  

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Indian High Commissioner stated, "Dhaka and New Delhi have understandings with regard to fencing the border for security. 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", news agency PTI reported.

Bangladesh's Home Affairs Adviser Says India Forced To Stop Construction Of Barbed Wire Fences 

Earlier on Sunday, Bangladesh's Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury alleged that India had been forced to halt the construction of barbed wire fences in certain areas due to strong opposition from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local residents. Chowdhury stated, "Due to some unequal agreements signed during the previous government's tenure, several issues have arisen along the Bangladesh-India border."

He added, "The efforts of our people and the BGB have forced India to stop certain activities, including the construction of barbed wire fences." Chowdhury highlighted four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) governing border activities, including the 1975 agreement prohibiting any defence-related development within 150 yards of the zero line without mutual consent.

Providing further details, Chowdhury revealed that India has already fenced 3,271 kilometres of the 4,156-kilometre-long border, leaving approximately 885 kilometres unfenced. He accused the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina of granting India unequal opportunities, leading to disputes over fencing at 160 locations between 2010 and 2023.

Recent tensions have surfaced in five areas, including Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Lalmonirhat, and the Tin Bigha Corridor. 

He also referenced the 1974 agreement under which Bangladesh handed over Berubari to India after parliamentary ratification. In exchange, India was to grant Bangladesh access to the Tin Bigha Corridor. However, Chowdhury claimed that India delayed fulfilling its commitments and ratifying the agreement in its parliament.

"They used to open the corridor for an hour and then close it for another hour. Finally, in 2010, an agreement was reached to keep the corridor open 24 hours. However, this agreement also allowed India to construct a border fence on the zero line at Angarpota, violating the 150-yard rule," he said, as per PTI.

Chowdhury emphasised that the Foreign Ministry has taken up the matter for diplomatic engagement, despite the challenges posed by Bangladesh’s commitments under the 2010 agreement.