India reiterates its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing existing challenges
India has informed Bangladesh that it was observing all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) with regard to security issues along the border, including on fencing.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) conveyed India’s position on the issue to the Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner to India, Md. Nural Islam, who was summoned to the South Block in New Delhi on Monday (January 13, 2025). This came a day after the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry summoned India’s High Commissioner to Dhaka over the issue.

“It was conveyed that with regard to security measures at the border, including on fencing, India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh,” the MEA said in a statement.

According to the MEA, India reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking. “Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border,” the MEA stated.

India conveyed its expectation that all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh and that there will be a cooperative approach to combating cross-border crimes, the MEA added.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin had summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Sunday (January 12, 2025) and expressed deep concern over the recent activities of the Border Security Force (BSF) of India along the Bangladesh-India Border.

Verma later told the media that he discussed India’s commitment to ensuring a crime-free border, effectively addressing challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking. He also referred to the understanding with regard to fencing the border for security, saying the BSF and BGB have been in communication in this regard. 

“We expect that understandings will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crime,” media reports quoted Verma as saying.