India-Bangladesh Border Tensions Simmer

India-Bangladesh border tensions have been escalating in recent weeks. The recent summoning of Pranay Kumar Verma, India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, by the Bangladesh government is a clear indication of the strain in bilateral relations. Bangladesh expressed its "deep concern" over the construction activities by the Border Security Force (BSF), particularly the installation of fences along the contentious border. 

The Yunus government in Bangladesh has claimed that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) took necessary steps to halt the BSF’s construction activities. This includes the fencing along the 4,096-kilometre-long border that both countries share, which has become a symbol of the mounting tensions between the two neighbours. 

In a swift diplomatic response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner, Nural Islam, on January 13, 2024, to convey its stance on the ongoing border developments. India firmly asserted that the ongoing fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border is in full compliance with "all protocols and agreements" between the two countries.

However, tensions continue to simmer as Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, Lt Gen (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, publicly criticised the BSF’s actions. The recent installation of fences across five border regions, including sensitive areas like Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Lalmonirhat, and the Tin Bigha Corridor, has further strained relations. These areas have long been a flashpoint, with their geopolitical significance amplifying the dispute. 

India-Bangladesh Border Tensions Escalate With Fencing Dispute

The situation has grown even more tense following the remarks of Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, Md. Jashim Uddin, who voiced grave concerns to India’s High Commissioner. Uddin specifically highlighted what he described as unauthorised attempts to construct barbed wire fences along the border, particularly the operational actions undertaken by the BSF. According to Uddin, these actions have not only caused disturbances but have also contributed to a volatile atmosphere along the border regions. He emphasised that such unilateral moves, especially the construction of fences without proper authorisation, directly undermines the long-standing spirit of cooperation and friendship that has traditionally defined India-Bangladesh relations. 

The India-Bangladesh border is approximately 4,096 kilometers (2,545 miles) long, making it the fifth-longest land border in the world. It runs through West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram on the Indian side, and through Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barisal, Sylhet, and Chittagong on the Bangladeshi side.

In December 2024, the foreign secretaries of both Bangladesh and India convened in Dhaka, hoping to address the growing tensions that had been escalating in recent months. This meeting was crucial as it focused on a series of issues that had strained their diplomatic relations, including the aftermath of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's flight into exile in India in August 2024. 

Adding to the already volatile situation, tensions heightened further following the arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Krishna Das Prabhu in Bangladesh. This incident, while seemingly isolated, became a flashpoint in the ongoing diplomatic dispute, as it fueled religious and political discord. 

In response to the unfolding crisis, India altered its visa policies for Bangladeshi nationals by ceasing issuing visas to Bangladeshis except for those seeking emergency medical treatment. This move, while framed as a security measure, was widely seen as a response to the political chaos and uncertainty in Bangladesh. The policy shift had far-reaching implications, not only affecting everyday citizens but also disrupting business and diplomatic exchanges. Many Indian nationals working on infrastructure projects in Bangladesh also began to leave the country due to escalating security risks. 

Four Key Agreements

Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, Lt Gen (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, cited four crucial Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed since Bangladesh's independence. These agreements were intended to manage border issues and strengthen cooperation between the India and Bangladesh. The key MoUs include the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement for the resolution of enclaves and disputed lands, the Joint Indo-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities of 1975, the Land Boundary Agreement Protocol of 2011, and the Coordinated Border Management Plan of 2011.

Among these, Alam stated that the 1975 MoU is particularly important, as it stipulates that no defense-related activities, including construction work such as fencing, can be undertaken within 150 yards of the zero line without mutual consent. According to Alam, any such work must be agreed upon by both nations in advance. He has said that India has already fenced 3,271 kilometers of the 4,156-kilometer-long border. 

Jahangir Alam also pointed fingers at the previous Awami League government, accusing it of giving India unequal advantages through these MoUs. He claimed that the agreements, particularly during the tenure of the Awami League from 2009 to 2024, have now culminated in the ongoing border disputes. 

On the other hand, India has firmly reiterated its position, emphasising the need for robust border security to combat cross-border criminal activities. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has outlined its commitment to ensuring a “crime-free border” by addressing key issues such as smuggling, the movement of criminals, and human trafficking. The Indian government has highlighted that measures like barbed wire fencing, border lighting, and the installation of technical devices and cattle fences are essential steps toward securing the border and maintaining law and order.

India’s statement made it clear that the Border Security Force (BSF) is fully within its rights to continue with the fencing, asserting that these security measures are necessary for national security. With more than 3,000 kilometers of the 4,096-kilometer-long border already fenced, the Indian government has argued that such measures are crucial to prevent illegal activities, particularly smuggling, and to curb the influence of criminal elements operating along the border. The Indian side’s justification for these actions rests on the need to safeguard its borders from the growing threat posed by trans-border criminal activities, which it believes are being facilitated by loopholes in the current border management system. This assertion, however, has sparked further tensions with Bangladesh, as it frames the issue within the context of national security, while Bangladesh views it as a violation of their sovereignty and international agreements.

Amid the growing border tensions, experts from both sides are urging India and Bangladesh to prioritise open and transparent diplomatic dialogue as the key to de-escalating the situation. While both nations have their respective security concerns and territorial sensitivities, analysts argue that a constructive conversation is essential to avoid further deterioration of relations.