India, Bangladesh Border Talks Address Security Concerns and Fence Construction
India and Bangladesh have concluded a series of crucial border discussions in Dhaka this week, focusing on key security and infrastructure issues along their 4,096 km shared boundary.
Heading the Indian delegation, BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary expressed significant concerns about ongoing attacks on Indian personnel by individuals from Bangladesh. Officials reported more than 35 injuries to BSF troops this year, adding to an earlier tally of 68 incidents.
India also urged rapid progress on the Single Row Fence (SRF) project, emphasizing that the initiative is a defensive measure aimed at curbing cross-border crimes such as cattle smuggling, infiltration, and trafficking of illegal goods.
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), led by Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, participated in in-depth discussions focusing on enhancing cooperation, particularly concerning adherence to existing protocols for fencing activities within 150 yards of the border.
In response to growing concerns over drone intrusions, India advocated for stricter collaborative efforts to counter aerial violations linked to narcotics and arms smuggling. The Indian side also announced plans to equip approximately 5,000 BSF personnel with body-worn cameras to provide evidence in cross-border incidents and minimize disputes over the use of force.
Both nations agreed to collaborate on riverbank protection initiatives under the Joint River Commission's framework and engage with border communities to mitigate illegal crossings, smuggling, and the uprooting of demarcation pillars.
These discussions, which took place at the BGB headquarters in Pilkhana from August 25 to 28, marked the first such meeting since the governmental change in Dhaka in 2024. The talks concluded with the signing of a joint record of discussions, underscoring a mutual commitment to improving cooperation, maintaining peace, and ensuring stability along one of South Asia's busiest borders.
