India and Bangladesh are at loggerheads over a new controversy relating to the erection of barbed-wire fencing along their international border, an agreement earlier reached when Sheikh Hasina was Prime Minister. The interim government of Muhammad Yunus has raised objections to it, reversing what was seen as a closed case.
The Border Security Force (BSF) started fencing the open stretches of the India-Bangladesh border in April 2023, in accordance with the existing agreements and after giving prior notice to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The work went on smoothly till December when the Yunus government, installed after a student-led agitation forced Hasina to leave, objected to the fencing and hinted at reconsidering the border agreement.
The BSF sources have reported that the fencing in Malda district of West Bengal had been going on smoothly till November, but since then, it has been repeatedly halted. According to a BSF officer, work was stalled during the monsoon due to flooding, but it resumed in December, and then objections came from the BGB.
On Sunday, Bangladesh accused India of trying to install fences at five locations, which violated their bilateral agreement. The Bangladeshi foreign ministry summoned India’s High Commissioner, Pranay Verma, to express “deep concern” over these activities. Verma clarified that India wanted to ensure border security and combat cross-border crimes.
Reacting to this, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner, asserting to adhere to all border management protocols. The porous border stretching for 2,216 km has presented multiple security concerns as several kilometers remain unbordered. According to experts, proper fencing along the border areas, particularly vulnerable areas such as Malda, would check cross-border crimes and increase the safety level for both nations.
