New Delhi, February 4 (PTI) – The Indian government has formally conveyed to Bangladesh its expectations for a cooperative approach in addressing cross-border crimes, including smuggling and trafficking, along the India-Bangladesh border. This communication was shared in Parliament on Tuesday by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that India has consistently adhered to all existing agreements regarding border security measures, including those related to the ongoing fencing project along the border. Rai clarified that India expects Bangladesh to implement previously agreed-upon protocols to jointly combat border-related criminal activities.
The total length of the India-Bangladesh border spans 4,096.7 kilometers, of which 3,232.21 kilometers have already been secured with fencing. Responding to queries about the impact of this fencing on bilateral relations, Rai emphasized that the construction of border fences is a crucial security measure aimed at curbing criminal activities along the border. Fencing serves as a key deterrent against smuggling, the movement of criminals, and human trafficking, ensuring a crime-free environment on both sides of the border.
Rai also reaffirmed that India remains committed to observing all bilateral agreements and protocols between the governments of India and Bangladesh, as well as the respective border security forces—the Border Security Force (BSF) of India and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). He stressed that India expects these mutual agreements to be fully implemented by Bangladesh, with an ongoing emphasis on cooperative border management.
While a significant portion of the border is fenced, 864.482 kilometers of the border remain unfenced, including 174.51 kilometers marked as "non-feasible" for fencing due to challenges such as land acquisition, objections from the BGB, the limited working season, and the presence of difficult terrain like marshy lands or areas prone to landslides. Despite these obstacles, the government remains focused on completing the feasible sections of the fencing project to further enhance security.
The ongoing collaboration between India and Bangladesh in managing their shared border is critical for tackling cross-border crime and ensuring the safety and security of both nations.
In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that India has consistently adhered to all existing agreements regarding border security measures, including those related to the ongoing fencing project along the border. Rai clarified that India expects Bangladesh to implement previously agreed-upon protocols to jointly combat border-related criminal activities.
The total length of the India-Bangladesh border spans 4,096.7 kilometers, of which 3,232.21 kilometers have already been secured with fencing. Responding to queries about the impact of this fencing on bilateral relations, Rai emphasized that the construction of border fences is a crucial security measure aimed at curbing criminal activities along the border. Fencing serves as a key deterrent against smuggling, the movement of criminals, and human trafficking, ensuring a crime-free environment on both sides of the border.
Rai also reaffirmed that India remains committed to observing all bilateral agreements and protocols between the governments of India and Bangladesh, as well as the respective border security forces—the Border Security Force (BSF) of India and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). He stressed that India expects these mutual agreements to be fully implemented by Bangladesh, with an ongoing emphasis on cooperative border management.
While a significant portion of the border is fenced, 864.482 kilometers of the border remain unfenced, including 174.51 kilometers marked as "non-feasible" for fencing due to challenges such as land acquisition, objections from the BGB, the limited working season, and the presence of difficult terrain like marshy lands or areas prone to landslides. Despite these obstacles, the government remains focused on completing the feasible sections of the fencing project to further enhance security.
The ongoing collaboration between India and Bangladesh in managing their shared border is critical for tackling cross-border crime and ensuring the safety and security of both nations.
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