India summons Bangladesh envoy over border fencing row: All agreements being followed

The statement said that 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”.

In this context, it said that “barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border.”

It said that 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”.

On Sunday, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin had summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma and “expressed deep concern” over the incidents.

According to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, “Foreign Secretary Ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin expressed deep concern of the 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.”

“He 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. He emphasized that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorization undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighboring countries. He hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG level talks would be able to discuss the matter at length,” it said.

The development came after Dhaka alleged that India was trying to construct fences at five locations along the India-Bangladesh border, violating a bilateral agreement.

After the meeting, Pranay Verma had said in Dhaka, “We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. BSF and BGB have been in communication in this regard. We expect that understanding will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crime.”

On Sunday, Bangladesh Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said India halted construction of barbed wire fencing along the border due to the strong opposition from the Border Guard Bangladesh and locals. He said India has already fenced 3,271 km of the 4,156-km long border with Bangladesh, leaving approximately 885 km unfenced.