India-Bangladesh Border Talks Tackle Violence, Fencing

India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh’s Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) concluded their bi-annual talks in Dhaka on Thursday, addressing escalating attacks on BSF personnel, border fencing disputes, and cross-border crimes. Held from August 25-28 at BGB headquarters in Pilkhana, the discussions marked the first high-level meeting since the fall of Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024.

Led by BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary and BGB’s Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, the talks focused on curbing violence and illegal activities along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border. The BSF raised concerns over attacks by Bangladeshi criminals, including stone-pelting and assaults on its personnel and Indian civilians, reporting 68 injuries in 2024 and over 35 by June 2025. The force also highlighted drone intrusions, delays in BGB’s repatriation of apprehended illegal entrants, and activities of Indian insurgent groups operating from Bangladesh.

A key agenda was the construction of a single-row fence (SRF) to deter trans-border crimes like smuggling and human trafficking. The BSF emphasized the SRF’s non-defensive nature, but Bangladesh objected, citing the 1975 Joint Guidelines prohibiting structures within 150 yards of the border. Both sides agreed to follow established protocols and conduct joint inspections to resolve disputes, with India noting that 3,141 km of the border is already fenced, leaving 1,015 km pending due to terrain challenges and BGB objections.

Also Read: Mexico Rejects DEA’s Claim of Joint Border Enforcement Pact

The BSF also announced plans to equip 5,000 troops with body-worn cameras to provide “irrefutable” evidence in cross-border incidents, countering BGB claims of excessive force by Indian troops. The BSF reiterated its “graded response” policy, resorting to lethal force only when attacked, despite BGB accusations of border killings.

Both forces committed to sensitizing border communities against illegal crossings, smuggling, and vandalism of border pillars. They also agreed to expedite approvals for developmental works within 150 yards of the border and facilitate riverbank protection projects under the Joint River Commission. The talks ended with a joint record of discussions, pledging enhanced cooperation to maintain peace along the frontier.

The next meeting is slated for March 2026 in India, as both sides navigate tensions heightened by recent incidents, including BGB’s obstruction of fencing in West Bengal’s Malda and Cooch Behar.

Also Read: BSF Thwarts Pakistani Infiltration Bid in J&K’s Kathua