Tit For Tat: India Summons Bangladeshi Diplomat Over Border Fencing Row

New Delhi: In what is being seen as tit-for-tat move, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday summoned Bangladesh’s deputy High Commissioner Nural Islam over border-related issues.

Islam was seen leaving South Block after meeting MEA officials, reported ANI.

On Sunday, the Bangladeshi Foreign ministry had summoned Pranay Verma, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, to the Foreign Office to discuss border-related issues.

Bangladesh has alleged that India has been trying to construct fences at five locations along the Indo-Bangla border, thus violating a bilateral agreement and creating ‘disturbances’ in the region.

Verma said both countries have “understandings with regard to fencing the border for security.”

He added that India’s efforts to ensure a crime-free border were also discussed.

“Our two border guard enforcements – BSF and BGB (Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh) – have been in communication in this regard. We expect that this understanding will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crimes along the border,” Verma told mediapersons in Dhaka after meeting Bangladeshi officials.

Tensions between the two countries, already on the boil over repeated attack on Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina government last August, escalated last week when BSF’s fencing work in Sukdevpur area of Malda’s Kaliachak III block had to be paused. BGB claimed the fencing was being done on Bangladeshi territory.

Expressing deep concern, Bangladesh Foreign secretary Jashim Uddin told Verma, “Unauthorised attempts to construct barbed wire fencing have caused tensions and disturbances along the border.”

“He emphasised that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries. He hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would be able to discuss the matter at length,” a press release by Bangladesh Foreign ministry said.

Bangladesh also expressed “deep concern and disappointment” over the alleged killing of a Bangladeshi citizen at Sunamganj.

India and Bangladesh share the world’s fifth-longest land border – around 4,000 kilometres – which has witnessed tension frequently over the years over border security security disputes and cross-border movements.

The Central government has repeatedly flagged illegal infiltration from Bangladesh to India, especially neighbouring West Bengal.