Context: Bangladesh has lodged opposition to India’s efforts to fence the India-Bangladesh border.
Relevance of the TopicMains: India and its neighbours- India-Bangladesh relations and issues.
Major Highlights:
- India and Bangladesh share a 4096 kms long complex border (India's longest terrestrial border) with various terrains like marshy land of Sunderbans.
- India has been working on fencing the border for several years to address security concerns, but this initiative has faced opposition from Bangladesh, citing legal, humanitarian, and diplomatic challenges.
What are the Issues?
- Border dispute: India and Bangladesh border is a densely populated area and lacks clear demarcation of border in riverine or marshy areas.
- Security concerns: India has initiated fencing of the border as the porous border facilitates illegal migration, smuggling of goods, trafficking of women and children and drug trade.
- Humanitarian and social impact: The regime change in Bangladesh is leading to hardships of people. This is leading to a threat of mass migration to India.
Arguments presented by Bangladesh
Bangladesh presented following arguments to restrain Indian efforts of fencing;
- Violation of Agreements: Bangladesh claims that India’s fencing efforts violate the Indra-Mujib Accord of 1974, according to which there should be no fencing within 150 yards of the border.
- Encroachment concerns: Bangladesh has raised concerns that fencing in some areas, particularly near riverine borders, results in the occupation of disputed land or encroachment into Bangladeshi territory.
- Humanitarian issues: Fencing near residential and agriculture areas will restrain free movement, hampering livelihood of locals.
Indian response to Bangladesh’s arguments
- Security justification: India has emphasised the need of fencing to prevent;
- Illegal infiltration
- Threats of cross-border terrorism
- Organised crimes like goods smuggling and human trafficking.
- Commitment and cooperation: India has reiterated commitment to peace in the region, as India is fencing on the Indian side.
- Diplomatic measures: India has proposed a joint survey, consultation and high level discussion to address concerns related to fencing alignment and humanitarian issues.
Way Forward
- Enhancing dialogue: Border forces of both nations should engage in high level i.e. Director General level border talks.
- Joint Border management: India and Bangladesh should establish joint patrols and surveillance mechanisms to reduce reliance on fencing alone.
- Alternate measures: Both nations can establish economic corridors and integrated check posts to facilitate legal migration to sustain livelihood of locals.
Other issues between India and Bangladesh
Apart from border dispute there are various other issues between India and Bangladesh
- Illegal migration: Cross border migration has been a contentious issue, with India raising concerns about influx of illegal migrants into states like Assam and West Bengal.
- Organised crimes: India-Bangladesh face issues like goods smuggling and Human trafficking. Also, cattle smuggling and urea smuggling are persistent.
- Water sharing dispute: India and Bangladesh have various river water sharing issues like Teesta river and Brahmaputra water sharing issue.
- Energy cooperation challenges: Bangladesh is facing challenges with the Adani powers on energy sharing agreement due to delay in payments.
- Minority issues: There have been persistent issues of attack on minorities in Bangladesh. India has lodged multiple concerns about protection of minorities in Bangladesh. E.g., Attack on ISKCON in Bangladesh.
Read More: India - Bangladesh border
Conclusion: Despite ongoing issues such as border disputes, water sharing, and trade imbalances, India and Bangladesh continue to prioritise cooperation. Diplomatic efforts, joint initiatives, and dialogue mechanisms remain essential in resolving conflicts and enhancing bilateral relations, fostering stability and growth in the region for both nations.