India flags ‘denial and delay’ by Bangladesh in accepting undocumented migrants

The Border Security Force (BSF) has flagged “denial and delay” by Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) in accepting apprehended “illegal Bangladeshi entrants” along the eastern border at the three-day Director General-level conference in Dhaka.

At the meeting, the BSF stressed upon the early construction of a single row fence, without any defence potential, which has been opposed by the BGB at multiple locations after political changes in Bangladesh in August 2024.

The BSF delegation asserted that the construction of the fence was required to prevent cross-border crimes and the entry of undocumented migrants. The BGB said it was raising awareness among the border population to not cross into India, but no concrete steps, such as putting up a fence, have been taken by it, a government source said.

The BGB raised concerns on “pushback” of undocumented Bangladeshi migrants, Myanmarese nationals and even Indians along the border saying that around 2,500 people have been pushed into the country.

After the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, States began a crackdown against undocumented Bangladeshi migrants who were then sent across the border to avoid legal procedures that take years to complete. The Indian government has not acknowledged the “pushbacks”.

Concerns raised by the BSF included “prevention against attack/assault/abuse/stone-pelting on BSF personnel and Indian nationals by Bangladesh-based criminals/miscreants, joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes, action against Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) in Bangladesh, issues related to border infrastructure, construction of SRF, misinterpretation of border issues by Bangladeshi media and other miscellaneous activities,” a statement from the force said. The DG-level conference was held in Dhaka from August 25-28. 

When asked about the pushbacks at a press conference in Dhaka, Daljit Singh Chaudhary, DG, BSF said, “...exfiltration is happening, people are returning through proper channels, they are also coming back through gaps.... whosever we find (at the border) we immediately hand them over to BGB.” 

In 2024, 1,049 undocumented people were apprehended while leaving the country, while till July 15 this year, 3,536 undocumented people were caught by the BSF while leaving the country via Bangladesh border, a senior government official said.

“DG BGB raised concerns over illegal push-ins of individuals, Indian nationals and Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) into Bangladesh by BSF. He emphasized adherence to established procedures for repatriation of illegal entrants. In reply, DG BSF assured that Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in India would be repatriated following mutually agreed processes,” a statement by BGB said.

The statement by BSF added, “Both sides agreed to take effective steps to continue to sensitize the border populace to refrain from violation of IB/illegal crossing/intrusion, smuggling, human trafficking, uprooting Border Pillars and other trans-border crimes.”

The border-guarding forces agreed to engage the respective higher authorities for concurrence of the pending developmental work within 150 yards of the International Boundary. It was agreed to facilitate riverbank protection work along the common bordering rivers as approved by Joint River Commission based on mutual consensus and without unnecessary hindrance.

The talks are held twice every year – once each in India and Bangladesh – which facilitate both the border-guarding forces to establish robust systems through which cooperation in border management is ensured.