Barbed-wire fencing, border lighting, technical devices, cattle fences are measures for securing the border, it says
Published : 13 Jan 2025, 11:14 PM
In response to Bangladesh's protest over the installation of “unauthorised” border fences, the Indian government has claimed that all protocols and agreements between the two countries have been followed in the construction of the fences and other security measures.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs came with the statement on Monday, a day after Dhaka summoned Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma to lodge a protest.
In a tit-for-tat response, the Indian foreign ministry summoned Bangladesh's Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi, Nurul Islam, on Monday afternoon.
Detailing the summons in a statement later, the Indian foreign ministry said: “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 [BSF] and Border Guard Bangladesh [BGB].”
Verma was summoned to the Bangladesh foreign ministry in Dhaka on Sunday amid tensions between the two countries over the construction of barbed-wire fences along the border.
In the meeting, the foreign secretary expressed concern over the border killings along with tensions surrounding the construction of barbed-wire fences, according to the ministry’s statement.
The foreign secretary conveyed Bangladesh's concerns over the recent actions of the BSF along the Bangladesh-India border, the statement read.
“He stressed that such activities, especially the unauthorised construction of barbed-wire fences and other related activities, have created tension and chaos in the border areas."
Referring to the recent killing of a Bangladeshi by the BSF in Sunamganj, the foreign secretary expressed "concern and dismay at the recurrence of such incidents of border killings”, the ministry said.
India summoned Bangladesh's acting high commissioner in Delhi in response to the call.
The Indian foreign ministry said in the statement that the measures, including the fencing, have been taken to curb crime and smuggling at the orders.
The statement read, “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.”
“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,” it added.