Bangladesh softens stance, calls for dialogue with India
In a shift from its hardened stance, Bangladesh has called for dialogue to resolve border issues with India, following weeks of heightened tensions between the two neighbouring countries. The change in Dhaka’s stand comes after it had earlier termed the India’s border fencing project within Indian territory as “unauthorised” and a move that could escalate the tension along the border.
“Bangladesh firmly believes that any issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue under the framework of existing bilateral agreements to maintain peace along the border,” Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said. Bangladesh also said the border issue with India will be resolved under framework of the existing Land Boundary Agreement between the two countries.
On January 12, Bangladesh had sent a stern message to India through its Ambassador in Dhaka Pranay Verma after summoning him. Dhaka had conveyed to Verma that India’s fencing project along the border is “unauthorised” which “undermined the spirit of cooperation between the two countries”. A day after, New Delhi summoned Bangladesh’s acting High Commissioner Mohammad Nural Islam and conveyed to him that it had observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments in its project.
India has maintained that it remains committed to ensuring crime-free border with Bangladesh by effectively addressing cross-border criminal activities. The fencing by India is to stop illegal migration from the neighbouring country. Around 800 km of the 4,096 km boundary between the two countries does not have a fence.
The relations between India and Bangladesh nosedived after Sheikh Hasina’s government toppled in August last year, following unprecedented protests in the country. Following the takeover of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the relations between the two countries soured.
The recent flare-up occurred between the two countries after Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) objected to BSF’s attempt to erect fencing in certain areas along the border between the two countries. The BSF and the BGB Director General-level talks are slated next month and the matter is expected to be discussed at the meet.