Bangladesh Summons Indian Envoy Over Border Dispute Amid Rising Tensions
Dhaka, January 12, 2025 – Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Sunday, expressing strong objections over India’s alleged unauthorized construction of border fences at five locations. The move signals escalating tensions between the two neighbors over border management and security issues.
India Accused of Fence Construction Violations
Bangladesh has accused India of attempting to build barbed-wire fences at disputed border locations, including Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Lalmonirhat, and the Tin Bigha Corridor, in violation of existing bilateral agreements. According to Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, these construction efforts lacked proper authorization from Bangladeshi authorities.
Following the allegations, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to formally register Dhaka’s protest. “Unauthorized attempts to construct fences disrupt bilateral agreements and threaten the cooperative spirit between our countries,” Uddin stated.
In response, Verma reiterated India’s commitment to maintaining a secure and crime-free border while assuring that discussions between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were ongoing to resolve the matter diplomatically.
Tensions Escalate Along the Border
The border dispute comes at a time of heightened security concerns along the 4,096-km Indo-Bangladesh border. Recent incidents, including the killing of a Bangladeshi national in Sunamganj on January 10—allegedly by BSF personnel—have further strained bilateral ties.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry raised these concerns during Sunday’s meeting, urging India to investigate all border-related deaths and take immediate steps to prevent future incidents. Official data shows an uptick in border confrontations since August 2024, particularly in disputed areas.
Dhaka has also criticized past border agreements signed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, arguing that they created imbalances and unresolved disputes over fencing at 160 locations between 2010 and 2023.
India’s Reciprocal Diplomatic Move
In a tit-for-tat response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner Md. Nural Islam on January 13 to discuss the ongoing border tensions. Indian officials emphasized the need for constructive dialogue to address security concerns while maintaining peaceful cooperation between the two countries.
Political Shifts Adding to Border Tensions
The recent dispute unfolds against the backdrop of significant political change in Bangladesh. Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus now leads an interim administration. The political transition has been marked by increased violence, particularly against minority groups, with 2,200 incidents reported between August and December 2024.
The interim government has also faced criticism for its handling of border policies, with opposition leaders accusing it of failing to protect national sovereignty.
The Road Ahead: Diplomacy or Confrontation?
As the two nations prepare for the upcoming BSF-BGB Director General-level talks, the diplomatic challenge lies in balancing security concerns with maintaining long-standing bilateral ties. Experts stress the need for de-escalation, urging both governments to resolve border disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.
Without a constructive approach, these tensions could threaten decades of progress in India-Bangladesh relations, further destabilizing an already volatile region. The resolution will require mutual trust, diplomatic finesse, and strict adherence to existing agreements to ensure long-term stability.
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