DHAKA, Jan 12, 2025 (BSS) –  Dhaka today expressed deep concern to New Delhi over the recent activities of the Border Security Force (BSF) of attempting to construct fencing along the Bangladesh-India Border while summoning Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh.

Indian envoy Pranay Verma was seen entering the foreign ministry around 3pm as he was summoned by the Bangladesh foreign secretary Md Jashim Uddin and the meeting was lasted around 45 minutes. 

“Foreign Secretary Ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin today expressed deep concern of government of Bangladesh to the High Commissioner of India Pranay Verma at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the recent activities of the Border Security Force (BSF) of India along the Bangladesh-India Border,” read a foreign ministry’s press release issued this evening.     

During the meeting with the Indian envoy, the foreign secretary stressed that such activities particularly the unauthorized attempt to construct barbed wire fencing and the related operational actions by BSF, have caused tensions and disturbances along the border. 

Jashim Uddin emphasized that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorization undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighboring countries. 

The foreign secretary hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would be able to discuss the matter at length.

Referring to the recent killing of a Bangladesh citizen at Sunamganj by BSF, Jashim Uddin also expressed deep concern and disappointment over such repetition of border killings. 

He strongly resented these acts of killing and called for urgent action by the Indian authorities to stop recurrence of such incidents and conduct enquiries into all these border killings and take actions against those responsible. 

The foreign secretary mentioned that it is also a matter of grave concern that despite repeated firm commitments from the Indian authorities to pursue non-lethal strategy and to stop killings, such incidents of killing have been continuing.

The foreign secretary called upon New Delhi to advise all concerned authorities in India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the shared border. 

He also mentioned, Bangladesh believes that such issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, and in a way that upholds peace and tranquility along the border.

“We have understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. Our two boarder guard enforcements - BSF and BGB - have been in communication in this regards. We expect the understandings will be implemented and that cooperative approach to combating crime,” Verma told reporters after the meeting at the ministry. 
 
The high commission also said he and the foreign secretary also discussed Indian commitment to ensuring the crimes along the border, effectively addressing the challenges of smuggling, movements of criminal and trafficking. 

Earlier, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the foreign ministry had been apprised of the situation and indicated that the Indian envoy might be summoned to address the matter.

The India-Bangladesh border, one of the world’s longest international boundaries, has historically been a source of contention.