New Delhi, January 12: Given the recent developments, India has urged Bangladesh to strictly observe the existing understandings on border management so that the 4,096-kilometer-long border is secure and not heated.
This appeal has been triggered by rampant crimes across the border that include smuggling, human trafficking, and felonies against security personnel.
The India-Bangladesh border has always been a hotbed for a number of illegal activities. These issues have provided both countries with a number of treaties and other arrangements with a view to enhancing border security as well as cooperation between their border forces-India’s Border Security Force and the Bangladesh Border Guard.
In March, during the 54th Director General-level talks in Dhaka, it was agreed by both sides to work together to minimize incidents in which BSF personnel were attacked by criminals from Bangladesh. They decided to enhance coordinated patrolling efforts, especially late at night, and to sensitise border populations on the sanctity of international boundaries.
Both countries also agreed to share real-time intelligence and investigation reports against human traffickers to prevent trafficking in humans and unlawful crossings of the border.
However, the 55th round of talks to have commenced under the incumbent administration of Bangladesh was rescheduled for November 2024 in New Delhi. The Bangladeshi side could not come around for the meeting for change in deployment.
This has resulted in concern regarding the continuity and effectiveness of joint initiatives undertaken by the two countries.
India’s Point of View
Due to retraction and continuing difficulties along the border, India has re-emphasized the need for putting into action the existing border management understandings. “We have a lot of hard work on our hands,” remarked a senior official of the Home Affairs Ministry.
He asserted that it is really paramount that both countries adhere to the measures agreed upon so that the borders are properly managed and secured.
Border Problems
There are many cross-border crimes associated with the India-Bangladesh border. From 2020 on, border guards have caught items worth ₹12,120 crore, almost 70% of which are at the India-Bangladesh border. Typical contraband includes cattle and drugs. In several situations, the BSF men are attacked by the villagers in Bangladesh border areas when they manage to put a stop to smuggling activities into India.
Developments Ahead
In order to comply with the above challenges, both countries earlier agreed on a number of measures:
- Coordinated Patrols: Enhancement of joint patrols during known vulnerable hours, in order to deter crime.
- Community Engagement: Awareness generation among border communities on the issue of restraining adherence to international borders and legal implications of cross-border crimes.
- Information Sharing: Real-time exchange of intelligence and investigation reports that shall enable the speedy neutralization of threats.
- Infrastructure Development: The implementation of developmental works either directly, or through combinations of different actors, to enhance surveillance in the 150 yards along the international border to secure the area against illicit activities.
Well-managed borders between India and Bangladesh play an important role for the security and economic well-being of the two nations. The cooperation and commitment that are needed for translating the agreements and understandings into a reality in the process of border management should be unparalleled.
India’s call upon Bangladesh to comply with existing border management measures reiterates the importance of forging partnerships in dealing with shared problems and thereby ensuring the safety and security of border regions.
