Amid the escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh regarding border fencing, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian Hugh Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma on Sunday. According to reports, Verma was summoned to address border issues.
Responding to the summon, the Indian envoy visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. As per a press release by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Bangladesh expressed “deep concern“ over the recent activities of the Border Security Force (BSF) of India along the Bangladesh-India Border. This was conveyed by Foreign Secretary Ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin to High Commissioner of India Pranay Verma.
Bangladesh alleged that the barbed wire fencing and other activities along the border are ‘unauthorised’, saying they have caused tensions and disturbances. Jashim Uddin said that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries. The Bangladeshi official hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would be able to discuss the matter at length.
Referring to the recent death of a Bangladesh citizen at Sunamganj in firing by BSF, the foreign secretary expressed deep concern and disappointment. He added that it is also a matter of grave concern that despite repeated firm commitments from the Indian authorities to pursue a non-lethal strategy, such incidents have been continuing.
The Bangladeshi foreign secretary called upon the government of India to advise all concerned authorities in India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the shared border. He added that Bangladesh believes that such issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, and in a way that upholds peace and tranquillity along the border.
After the meeting, High Commissioner Pranay Verma expressed hope that the understanding between BSF and BGB will be implemented in a cooperative approach to maintain peace along the border. He told reporters, “We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. Our two border guard enforcements – BSF and BGB – have been in communication in this regard.”
Verma said that he met the Foreign Secretary to discuss India’s commitment to ensuring a crime-free border and effectively addressing the challenges of smuggling and trafficking. He added, “I had a discussion with the foreign secretary. We discussed India’s commitment to addressing crimes along the border, the challenges of smuggling, movements of criminals and trafficking.”
This comes after, the Bangladesh government accused the Indian government of setting up fencing on the Indo-Bangladesh border in violation of a bilateral agreement between the two countries.
The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has been carrying out fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border to address the issue of growing infiltration through the international border. However, the fencing work had to be halted on Tuesday after tensions mounted along the border as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) opposed the fencing.
