BSF-BGB Hold First High-Level Border Talks After Sheikh Hasina Government’s Fall

Agartala, Feb 19, 2025, By Our Correspondent62

In a crucial development for India-Bangladesh border security relations, the 55th Director General (DG)-level Border Coordination Conference between the Border Security Force (BSF) of India and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) commenced in New Delhi on Tuesday. This marks the first top-level dialogue between the two border guarding forces since the political shift in Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August last year.

A Meeting of Strategic Importance

The conference, a bi-annual affair, is being held at the BSF headquarters in New Delhi. It comes at a time when bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have faced diplomatic tensions, particularly over issues related to border fencing, cross-border crimes, and security concerns.

According to official sources, the BSF is expected to strongly raise concerns regarding:

• Obstructions in fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border.
• Increasing attacks on BSF personnel and Indian civilians by Bangladeshi miscreants.
• Trans-border smuggling, including narcotics, arms, and counterfeit currency circulation.

This meeting is significant as both sides aim to strengthen cooperation and address lingering issues in border management, which have occasionally strained diplomatic ties.

Warm Reception and Opening Statements

The BGB delegation, led by Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, arrived in New Delhi on Monday and was received at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary. The two officers later met at the BSF headquarters, setting the stage for detailed deliberations.

In a statement last week, the BSF highlighted the primary objective of the conference—to foster better coordination between the two forces, discuss border-related challenges, and enhance cooperation to ensure peace and stability along the 4,096-km-long India-Bangladesh border.

The India-Bangladesh Border: A Complex and Sensitive Terrain

The India-Bangladesh border, one of the longest international land borders, spans across five Indian states:

• West Bengal – 2,217 km
• Tripura – 856 km
• Meghalaya – 443 km
• Assam – 262 km
• Mizoram – 318 km

The BSF serves as the lead security and intelligence-gathering agency along this front, dealing with challenges such as illegal migration, human trafficking, cattle smuggling, narcotics trade, and infiltration by extremist elements.

One of the most contentious issues between India and Bangladesh in recent years has been India’s construction of border fencing, which Bangladesh has objected to on several occasions, citing concerns over its impact on local communities and bilateral relations.

Key Issues on the Agenda

During the conference, the BSF and BGB are expected to engage in in-depth discussions on several pressing matters, including:

1. Preventing Attacks on BSF Personnel and Indian Civilians

One of the primary concerns for India has been the rising incidents of attacks on BSF personnel and Indian villagers residing near the border by Bangladesh-based miscreants. These attacks, often involving smugglers or criminal groups, have led to casualties and diplomatic tensions. The BSF is expected to urge the BGB to take strict measures to curb such activities.

2. Strengthening Efforts Against Trans-Border Crimes

Both forces will discuss ways to combat cross-border smuggling, which includes:

• Narcotics smuggling, particularly yaba tablets, which are trafficked into India from Bangladesh.
• Arms and counterfeit currency networks operating across the border.
• Cattle smuggling, which has been a persistent issue despite increased patrolling.

3. Addressing Border Fencing and Infrastructure Challenges

India has been constructing a single-row border fence to enhance security along vulnerable stretches of the border. However, Bangladesh has repeatedly raised objections to this project, leading to diplomatic friction. The BSF is likely to push for the completion of the fencing work while reassuring the BGB of its commitment to minimizing civilian hardships.

4. Action Against Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) in Bangladesh

India has long expressed concerns over the presence of Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) in Bangladesh, particularly those seeking refuge or logistical support in border areas. The BSF will seek stronger commitments from the BGB in tackling these groups and ensuring that Bangladeshi territory is not used for anti-India activities.

5. Implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP)

Both sides are expected to review the effectiveness of the CBMP, a framework designed to:

• Improve joint patrolling along sensitive border stretches.
• Enhance real-time intelligence sharing.
• Develop mechanisms to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts between the two forces.

6. Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) and Future Cooperation

To ensure a more cooperative and peaceful border, both nations will explore new CBMs, including:

• Increasing joint training programs for BSF and BGB personnel.
• Organizing cultural exchange programs to foster goodwill.
• Conducting more frequent flag meetings at the field level to resolve disputes before they escalate.

A Meeting in a Changing Diplomatic Landscape

The last BSF-BGB DG-level meeting was held in Dhaka in March last year, when the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government was still in power. However, political changes in Bangladesh since August last year have led to new challenges and shifts in bilateral relations.

Diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh faced a rough patch in December last year when both nations summoned each other’s high commissioners over India’s border fencing activities and other unresolved issues. The outcome of the current conference will be closely watched as an indicator of how the two nations plan to navigate their border relations in this evolving geopolitical climate.

The Road Ahead

While India and Bangladesh share deep historical and economic ties, border-related disputes continue to be a sensitive and recurring challenge. The ongoing 55th DG-level Border Coordination Conference is expected to play a crucial role in setting the tone for future security cooperation between the two nations.

Both the BSF and BGB recognize the need for mutual collaboration in securing the border, preventing trans-border crimes, and ensuring the safety of civilians on both sides. The decisions and agreements reached during this conference will likely shape the trajectory of India-Bangladesh border management policies in the coming months.

With India aiming for tighter border security and Bangladesh seeking balanced cooperation, all eyes are now on the outcome of these high-stakes deliberations.

As discussions unfold in New Delhi, will this meeting pave the way for a more secure and cooperative border, or will old tensions continue to simmer? The coming days will reveal the answers.