BGB, BSF Agree to Strengthen Border Cooperation at 57th DG-Level Conference
BGB, BSF Agree to Strengthen Border Cooperation at 57th DG-Level Conference
NEW DELHI — Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India's Border Security Force (BSF) have concluded their 57th Director General-level conference in New Delhi, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation on border security, combating transnational crime, and addressing migration-related issues.
The four-day meeting, which began on June 8, was led by BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui and BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues affecting the Bangladesh-India border.
One of the key issues raised by Bangladesh was the recent increase in alleged push-ins of individuals, including Indian nationals, Myanmar citizens, and Rohingya refugees, into Bangladeshi territory.
The BGB expressed concern over the practice, stating that such actions violate existing bilateral agreements and the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP).
Major General Siddiqui said that if any individual is confirmed to be a Bangladeshi citizen through a formal verification process, repatriation should take place only through established bilateral procedures. He urged the BSF to immediately stop unilateral push-in attempts.
The BSF, in turn, raised concerns about illegal migration and the movement of undocumented individuals into India.
Both border forces agreed to continue using existing bilateral mechanisms for nationality verification and the lawful repatriation of individuals.
The two sides also reiterated their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against transnational crimes, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, gold and counterfeit currency smuggling, and the activities of armed insurgent groups.
Border fatalities were another major issue discussed during the meeting.
The BGB called for reducing border deaths to zero and urged the BSF to avoid the use of both lethal and non-lethal weapons against unarmed civilians along the frontier.
Bangladesh also raised concerns over the reported activities of armed groups operating from India's Mizoram state, requesting Indian cooperation in preventing anti-Bangladesh activities.
Other topics included the construction of infrastructure within the 150-yard no-build zone along the international border and the spread of misinformation about border issues on social and mainstream media.
At the conclusion of the conference, both sides agreed to strengthen coordinated border patrols, enhance real-time intelligence sharing, and expand joint efforts to combat cross-border criminal networks.
The BGB and BSF also agreed to hold their next Director General-level conference in Dhaka in November, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and constructive cooperation along the Bangladesh-India border.
