Agartala: Jan 23: The construction of barbed wire fencing at 92 locations along the India-Bangladesh border has been stalled. The central Home Ministry has indicated that this issue will be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming Director General-level meeting between the BSF (Border Security Force) and BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) in Delhi from February 16 to 19.
Before the visit of the BGB chief, Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, the adviser to the Bangladesh Ministry of Power, will attend the ‘India Energy Week, 2025’ conference in Delhi from February 10 to 12. This visit marks the first by a government delegation from Bangladesh following the formation of an interim government there. Fawzul’s visit aims to discuss various energy sector cooperation issues between India and Bangladesh.
The BGB chief’s visit will follow Fawzul’s. The annual meeting between the chiefs of BSF and BGB, typically held in November, has been rescheduled to February due to political instability in Bangladesh. This year’s meeting will take place at the BSF headquarters in Delhi, with BSF DG Daljit Singh Chaoudhary and BGB DG Major General M A Siddique in attendance. The recent dispute over the construction of barbed wire fencing is expected to be the primary focus of the meeting, with both sides aiming to resolve the issue.
BSF sources have reported problems with the construction of barbed wire fencing at over 100 locations along the 4,096 km India-Bangladesh border. Previously, both countries had agreed on constructing fences at 92 of these locations, primarily in West Bengal, with some in Assam and Tripura. However, following political changes in Bangladesh, the BGB has recently raised objections to the construction at these sites.
A BSF official stated that a meeting was held between the two sides after the BGB’s objection, where it was reiterated that both sides had already reached an understanding on the matter. The BGB has requested time to review the issue, and a resolution is hoped to be found in the upcoming meeting.
Both India and Bangladesh have left 150 yards from the zero point on the border, with a bilateral agreement prohibiting permanent structures within 300 yards for security reasons. In some areas, villages in West Bengal fall within the 150-yard zone left by India, making residents vulnerable to smuggling and cattle theft. To ensure their safety, the center decided to surround these villages with a ‘single row fence’ after consulting with Bangladesh. However, the BGB has recently objected to this construction in parts of Nadia, Malda, and Cooch Behar, leading to a diplomatic standoff.
The BSF official emphasized the need to consider political changes while continuing meetings at the commander level. The upcoming DG-level meeting will address the protection of Indian residents from smugglers and the prevention of illegal movement. Additionally, discussions are expected on coordination regarding the arrest of cattle and human traffickers, counterfeit notes, drugs, illegal weapons, and criminals, as in previous years.
