India-Bangladesh border talks set to be held from February 17-20

New Delhi, Jan 31: India and Bangladesh will hold Director General (DG)-level talks between their respective border forces, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), from February 17 to 20 in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson said.

The discussions will focus on border security issues, with India emphasising the need to honour mutually agreed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements.

“We expect all mutually agreed MoUs and agreements to be honoured. These form the basis for structured engagements between the border guarding forces and facilitate the creation of mutually beneficial security and trade infrastructure along the border,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on Friday during a press briefing.

The scheduled talks come at a time of heightened tensions between the two neighbours, particularly after the BGB objected to BSF’s attempt to install single-row barbed wire fencing at Sukdevpur in Malda’s Baishnabnagar last week. Concerns over cross-border infiltration have further strained relations, prompting both sides to seek diplomatic engagement.

Earlier, the border dispute lead to diplomatic interventions from both nations. On January 13, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner to India, Nural Islam, to discuss security concerns. India reiterated its expectation that all previous border security agreements be upheld and underscored its commitment to maintaining a crime-free border.

Bangladesh had earlier summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma a day earlier, calling for a cooperative strategy to tackle border crime. Following the meeting, Verma reaffirmed the need for implementing the existing border security framework, stressing the importance of a collaborative approach to address cross-border challenges, including smuggling and human trafficking.

However, the media reported that Bangladesh’s home affairs adviser, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, blamed the escalating tensions on "unequal agreements" signed by a previous Bangladeshi administration. "These deals have caused multiple complications along the Bangladesh-India border," he said, suggesting that past accords have contributed to current friction.

India has maintained that its security measures, including fencing, lighting, and technical installations, are in line with bilateral agreements and aimed at ensuring border safety. The MEA reiterated that both governments and border forces had agreed upon these measures, emphasising the need for their full implementation to curb illegal activities along the porous border.

Relations between India and Bangladesh have taken a downturn following a change in government in Dhaka. The situation worsened after the former Bangladesh Prime Minister took refuge in India, leading to growing unease between the two countries.  The recent border tensions are seen as part of a broader strain in ties, which had previously witnessed strong cooperation under the earlier administration.