BGB, BSF Chiefs to Meet in Delhi Next Month for Border Talks

Home Adviser, retired Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, spoke today at a press briefing at the ministry. Photo: BSS

The high-level talks are scheduled to take place from February 17 to 20, 2025, according to Home Adviser, retired Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. He confirmed that the primary objective of the meeting would be to revisit agreements that Bangladesh considers unfair and to discuss issues that have long been points of contention between the two countries.

“During the DG-level meeting, the Bangladesh side will request the cancellation of some border management agreements deemed unequal, as well as raise a number of important issues,” Chowdhury said in a statement. Among the key topics for discussion will be cross-border killings, infiltration by Indian nationals, the smuggling of weapons, drugs, and explosives, and the management of shared rivers.

Chowdhury also emphasized the growing concerns about the smuggling of narcotic substances such as yaba and phensidyl, which are disguised as medicine when entering Bangladesh. These illicit drugs have become a major challenge for border security.

Additionally, Bangladesh plans to raise the issue of unauthorized construction activities occurring within 150 yards of the border. These developments, which are taking place in Indian territory, often go ahead without prior consultation or approval from Bangladesh, violating established border protocols.

“The BSF also continues to detain Bangladesh nationals unlawfully, and this issue will feature prominently in the upcoming talks,” Chowdhury added.

Other topics on the agenda include the marking of border lines in the disputed Muhurir Char area, the installation of border pillars, and the creation of a coordinated border management plan to ensure smoother operations along the shared border.

Chowdhury also highlighted the environmental impact of wastewater flowing from India’s Agartala to Bangladesh’s Akhaura. Bangladesh is advocating for the installation of water treatment plants along four key canals to mitigate the pollution from this cross-border waste flow.

A contentious issue that is likely to be raised concerns the spread of misleading reports and rumors about Bangladesh’s internal situation, particularly by Indian media and on social networking platforms. Chowdhury stated that Bangladesh would address these concerns during the discussions to curb the dissemination of false information.

The Home Adviser also elaborated on specific “uneven agreements,” citing the 2011 agreement regarding the Tin Bigha and Dahagram corridors, which he described as an example of an unbalanced deal that Bangladesh seeks to revise.

In a related matter, Chowdhury mentioned the Kulaura Railway Station, which is located three kilometers inside Bangladesh's border but serves as an inter-country railway station. Bangladesh will propose the establishment of an immigration checkpoint with customs facilities to control entry and exit more effectively.

On development activities near the border, Chowdhury emphasized that both countries must agree before undertaking any construction projects within 150 yards of the border. This would apply to the building of structures such as mosques or temples, which require mutual consent. He expressed hope that India would prioritize this issue moving forward.

The adviser concluded by noting that the meeting will also focus on ways to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation between the two border forces to foster peace and stability along the border.