The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday summoned Nural Islam, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to discuss the escalating tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka. It comes after Dhaka on Sunday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma over border tensions. Earlier, Bangladesh alleged that India was trying to construct fences at five locations along the Indo-Bangla border, in violation of a bilateral agreement.
The MEA in meeting with the Bangladeshi diplomat conveyed that with regard to security measures at the border, including fencing, New Delhi observes all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh.
India has also 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.
Here's what Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh said
Following his meeting, the Indian diplomat said that 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," Verma added.
Bangladesh's respone on current border row with India
Speaking on the current border row between New Delhi and Dhaka, former High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Tariq Karim said, "If Indians are putting up a fence on their side of the border and not ours, we cannot contest that it is their sovereign right. If we want, we can set up a fence on our side of the border to counter that."
He added, "Our response is that we do not welcome such fencing between two geographically located neighbours which are supposed to be friendly to each other. These acts display a certain sense of suspicion or hostility and there I think we should engage and activate our diplomatic channels and links...I am confident that both countries will be able to resolve all problems."
Earlier, Bangladesh's Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury claimed that India halted construction of barbed wire fencing along the border due to the strong opposition from the Border Guard Bangladesh and locals. Addressing a media briefing, Chowdhury said that due to some unequal agreements signed during the previous government's tenure, “several issues have arisen along the Bangladesh-India border”.
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