India on Monday summoned Bangladesh’s acting High Commissioner Nural Islam and conveyed to him that it followed all laid down protocols in the construction of fencing along the border between the two neighbours.
India’s action came a day after Bangladesh’s foreign ministry called Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to express its “deep concern” over the “activities” of the Border Security Force (BSF).
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it was conveyed to Islam that India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments on security measures at the border and expects that all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh along with a cooperative approach to combating cross-border crimes.
“The Bangladesh acting high commissioner to India, Md. Nural Islam, was summoned by MEA to the South Block today at 2 pm,” an official readout said.
“It was conveyed that with regard to security measures at the border, including on fencing, India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh,” the MEA said in the readout.
It said India reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking.
“Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border,” it said.
“India conveyed its expectation that all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh and that there will be a cooperative approach to combating cross-border crimes,” the MEA added.
On Sunday, Verma was told by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin that “unauthorised” construction of border fencing by the BSF was a matter of “deep concern”.
The fresh tension between the two sides came amid a downturn in the relations after deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh in August in the face of a massive anti-government protest.
The relations between India and Bangladesh nosedived dramatically after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus failed to contain attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.
In a separate development, Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said India and Bangladesh “have to live together and understand each other”.
“Bangladesh is strategically important to us…We are neighbours, we have to live together and understand each other and any kind of animosity is not in each other’s interest,” he said.
“As of today, there is no vulnerability from any side,” he added.
The Army Chief made the comments at his annual press conference while replying to a question.
Gen Dwivedi said India’s relationship with the Bangladeshi military is continuing. A bilateral joint exercise was postponed following the change of government in Dhaka but will be held as and when the situation improves, he said.
