India Summons Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Amid Border Tensions

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner to India, Nural Islam, on Monday, following escalating tensions over recent border developments.

The move came a day after Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to express “deep concern” over the construction of barbed wire fencing and alleged operational actions by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

In a statement, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry highlighted its objections, with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin conveying Dhaka’s concerns to Verma. The ministry cited the “unauthorized attempt” to construct border fencing and the recent killing of a Bangladeshi citizen in Sunamganj by the BSF as points of contention.

“The Government of Bangladesh views these activities as a source of tension and disturbance along the border,” Uddin said.

Responding to the concerns, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma emphasized India’s commitment to a cooperative approach for maintaining border security. Verma assured that both nations’ border forces, India’s BSF and Bangladesh’s Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), are in regular communication to address challenges such as smuggling, human trafficking, and criminal activities.

“Our two border guard forces have been engaging to implement an understanding for ensuring a crime-free border,” Verma told reporters after the meeting. He reiterated India’s stance on fencing the border to enhance security while fostering dialogue to resolve disputes amicably.

The diplomatic exchange underscores ongoing sensitivities surrounding border management and the broader need for sustained cooperation to address shared security challenges between the two neighbors.