BGB-BSF talks focus on border killings, push-ins, security cooperation

The 57th director general (DG)-level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi agreed to strengthen cooperation on border management, reduce violence, curb trans-border crimes, and address a range of long-standing bilateral issues, says a BGB press release.
The four-day conference, held on June 8-11, was led by BGB DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui and BSF DG Praveen Kumar. Representatives from several ministries and agencies concerned of both the countries also participated in the discussions.
One of the key issues raised by Bangladesh was the continued occurrence of border killings. The BGB chief expressed deep concern over incidents involving the deaths of unarmed Bangladeshi nationals resulting from the use of lethal and non-lethal force by BSF personnel and Indian nationals along the frontier.
Describing such incidents as violations of human rights, he urged India to take effective measures to bring border killings down to zero.
In response, both sides agreed to intensify joint patrols, strengthen vigilance and conduct awareness campaigns against illegal border crossings. They also pledged to investigate incidents involving deaths and attacks on citizens of either country and take legal actions against those responsible, says the BGB release.
The issue of push-ins of individuals into Bangladesh featured prominently during the talks. BGB raised concerns over recent incidents involving Rohingya, Myanmar nationals and Indian citizens allegedly pushed into Bangladesh territory by BSF personnel, arguing that such actions violate existing bilateral agreements and established repatriation procedures.
Bangladesh reiterated that verified Bangladeshi nationals would be accepted through formal diplomatic and legal channels, and also called on India to stop the practice.
BSF, on the other hand, requested speedy completion of nationality verification of the pending cases. Both sides agreed to follow established bilateral mechanisms and procedures in handling such matters, the release mentions.
Drug trafficking and smuggling also received significant attention. Bangladesh informed India about the continued influx of narcotics, including heroin, phensedyl, yaba, cannabis, and other illicit substances from across the border.
The two border forces reaffirmed their zero-tolerance stance against narcotics, cattle smuggling and trans-border crimes. They agreed to enhance simultaneous coordinated patrols and strengthen real-time intelligence sharing at the field level.
Illegal migration, human trafficking and Rohingya-related issues were also discussed extensively. While BSF expressed concern over the movement of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya migrants into India, Bangladesh maintained that it does not allow its territory to be used for illegal onward migration.
Both sides agreed to adopt preventive measures against illegal cross-border movement, dismantle trafficking networks, and ensure timely rescue, rehabilitation and legal support for trafficking victims.
Another contentious issue concerned border fencing and construction activities within 150 yards of the international boundary. Bangladesh alleged that BSF and Indian nationals attempted unauthorised construction of security-related fencing and other infrastructure in several locations without prior concurrence from Bangladeshi authorities.
BGB urged strict adherence to bilateral protocols and requested that future projects be discussed through diplomatic channels. The two sides agreed to instruct field-level officials to refrain from unauthorised construction and to comply with existing agreements governing border infrastructure.
The conference also covered concerns regarding counterfeit currency, gold smuggling, border demarcation, construction of permanent boundary pillars, trans-boundary river water sharing, and riverbank protection projects.
Bangladesh raised the issue of delays affecting its access to water from the Kushiyara River, and sought cooperation on riverbank protection works in vulnerable border areas.
Both the sides agreed that such matters should continue to be addressed through existing bilateral forums, including the Joint Rivers Commission, and relevant monitoring mechanisms.
The BGB DG also expressed concern over the possible presence of separatist and armed terrorist groups from the Chittagong Hill Tracts region in India's Mizoram state and their alleged anti-Bangladesh activities. He sought India's cooperation in taking necessary action against such groups.
In response, the BSF DG stated that the Government of India maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward all armed insurgent and terrorist groups, regardless of nationality, and does not permit its territory to be used for such activities.
Both sides provisionally agreed to hold the next DG-level conference in Dhaka in November 2026, the BGB release adds.

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