India stands firm on border fencing project despite Bangladesh’s objections

India has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the border fencing project along its border with Bangladesh, despite Dhaka’s objections. The Indian government conveyed its stance to Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Nural Islam, who was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday.

The development comes as tensions continue to simmer between the two countries after Dhaka on Sunday conveyed its message to India through its Ambassador Pranay Verma, while terming New Delhi’s border fencing project in its own territory as “unauthorised”, which “undermined the spirit of cooperation between the two countries”.

The fencing by India is to stop illegal migration from the neighbouring country. Some 800 km of the 4,096 km-boundary between the two countries does not have a fence.

Today, MEA described the summoning of Dhaka’s envoy saying, “It was conveyed with regard to security measures at the border, including fencing, India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).”

New Delhi reiterated its commitment to ensuring a “crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking”.

“Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border,” MEA readout said.

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

On Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Dhaka released a statement about the meeting saying, “Foreign Secretary Mohd Jashim Uddin expressed deep concern to the Indian envoy … and asked India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the border.”

It went on to add “activities particularly the unauthorised attempt to construct barbed wire fencing and the related operational actions by BSF have caused tensions and disturbances”.

Dhaka did not stop at that, it added that “the construction of barbed wire fence without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries”.

In August last year, after Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus became the head of the interim government in Bangladesh, the relations between the two countries soured. There has been tussle between the two countries over the Bangladesh’s former PM Sheikh Hasina, who has taken refuge in India, while Dhaka wants her deportation. The recent flare-up occurred between the two countries earlier this week after BGB objected to BSF’s attempt to erect fencing in certain areas along the border between the two countries. BSF and BGB Director General level talks are slated next month and the matter is expected to be discussed at the meet.