Bangladesh and India’s border security forces pledged to curb cross-border killings and prevent “push-ins” of people into Bangladesh, following four days of talks in Dhaka. The commitment came on Thursday (August 28) with the signing of a joint statement at Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana, marking the close of the 56th Director General–level conference between BGB and the Border Security Force (BSF).
The Bangladeshi side, led by BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, included 21 members representing senior BGB officials as well as delegates from the Chief Adviser’s Office, the ministries of home, foreign affairs, shipping and road transport, the Directorate of Land Records and Surveys, the Joint Rivers Commission, and the Department of Narcotics Control.
BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary, IPS, headed India’s 11-member delegation, which also comprised senior BSF officials, representatives from India’s home and foreign ministries, and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
During the meeting, Siddiqui voiced “deep concern” over the killing and injury of unarmed Bangladeshi civilians along the border by BSF personnel and Indian nationals. Chawdhary responded by pledging stronger preventive measures, including heightened nighttime patrols in vulnerable areas, to avoid repeat incidents. Both sides agreed to awareness campaigns, socio-economic development in at-risk regions, and programs discouraging border violations, while stepping up joint efforts to stop cross-border crimes.
Bangladesh raised objections to push-ins of Indian and forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals into its territory, urging India to follow agreed procedures for repatriation. The BSF Chief assured that Bangladeshis living illegally in India would be sent back under mutually agreed arrangements.
The two sides also stressed the need for the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) to counter smuggling of drugs, arms, explosives, gold, counterfeit currency, and other contraband. They agreed to share intelligence in real time and maintain vigilance against trafficking networks.
On broader security, both sides reaffirmed “zero tolerance” toward armed insurgent groups and pledged coordinated action through real-time intelligence sharing. Bangladesh pressed for the completion of the demarcation of river boundaries along the Ichhamati, Kalindi, Raimangal, and Hariabhanga rivers, as well as the construction of a permanent border pillar in Muhurir Char, Feni. The BSF assured that these issues would be brought to the attention of the relevant Indian authorities.
Other agreements included avoiding development works within 150 yards of the zero line without prior approval, expediting the completion of ongoing projects near the border, and resolving technical hurdles in laying optical fiber under the “Connected Bangladesh” project through the Tin Bigha Corridor. Both sides also agreed to prevent airspace violations by sharing real-time information on pre-scheduled flights.
The conference concluded with a call for restraint in both countries’ media, urging journalists to avoid spreading rumors or disinformation that could inflame border tensions.