As the director-general-level border talks between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) approach, scheduled for February 17-20 in New Delhi, Bangladesh is signaling a significant shift in its diplomatic tone. This change, characterized by a more assertive posture, marks a departure from the traditionally cordial relations seen between the two nations, especially regarding issues along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The upcoming talks are set against a backdrop of rising tensions over the construction of a single-row fence by India along the border, a project that has drawn sharp objections from Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government, led by an interim administration, has voiced concerns about the negative impact of such infrastructure on the local population and the environment.
Bangladesh’s stance was articulated by Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the Home Adviser to the interim government, who indicated that the tone of the discussions would be markedly different this time. In a press briefing following an inter-ministerial meeting in Dhaka, Jahangir emphasized that the killing of unarmed Bangladeshi civilians by BSF personnel and Indian miscreants at the border needed to stop. The Bangladesh government plans to press India for effective measures to end these border killings, describing such incidents as “unacceptable under any circumstances.”
BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui further reinforced the country’s firm stance, asserting that Bangladesh would not make any concessions on issues where it felt deprived in its dealings with India. This declaration is expected to influence the discussions, with both sides likely to engage in tough negotiations over security protocols and border management practices.
The tensions come on the heels of a strained bilateral relationship between the two countries following political upheaval in Bangladesh. In August 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, seen as a friend of India, was ousted in a mass uprising. The rise of an interim government has changed the political dynamics and, as a result, influenced the diplomatic tone in dealing with India.
The BGB-BSF talks, which take place every two years, will cover a wide range of issues, including border security, cross-border crime, and environmental concerns. However, the focus this time is expected to be on addressing the rising number of violent incidents along the border and finding a way to reduce tensions between the two forces. The ongoing issue of border killings, which has plagued the relationship for years, remains a key point of contention.
India has long maintained that the border fence is a necessary measure to curb illegal activities such as human trafficking, smuggling, and the movement of insurgents. However, Bangladesh has expressed concerns about the impact of the fence on local communities, as well as the negative environmental consequences, particularly concerning the water resources along the border.
The talks will also address issues related to cross-border criminals, including incidents where criminals have attacked security personnel and civilians. Both sides have previously agreed to increase joint patrols, especially during late-night hours, in an effort to reduce such incidents. Enhanced public awareness initiatives along the border are also expected to feature in the discussions.
Infrastructure and environmental issues are likely to remain on the agenda, with Bangladesh raising concerns about the ecological impact of wastewater from Agartala, India. The Bangladesh side has proposed the construction of a water treatment plant to mitigate the environmental damage caused by untreated wastewater. Cooperation in water resource management and infrastructure development within 150 yards of the border will also be part of the discussions, as both sides have previously agreed on joint management measures.
This shift in Bangladesh’s posture, with an emphasis on being more assertive in the upcoming talks, is widely seen as a political maneuver by the interim government. Experts suggest that the administration is trying to garner support from the Bangladeshi public by adopting a tough stance on India, particularly in light of the political unrest in the country. The interim government, which came to power after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, faces challenges on multiple fronts, including rising commodity prices, law and order issues, and growing unemployment.
Analysts believe that the interim government’s statements regarding the border talks are aimed at appeasing domestic supporters who are critical of India’s influence on Bangladesh’s political affairs. The ousting of Hasina, who had maintained strong ties with India, has left a void in bilateral relations. The interim government is reportedly attempting to distance itself from Hasina’s pro-India stance, trying to present itself as more independent, particularly in matters of foreign policy.
In the wake of the political upheaval, there has been a rise in anti-India rhetoric from certain sections of the Bangladeshi political spectrum. As tensions between Bangladesh and India grow, some analysts speculate that the interim government may be trying to reassert its influence by presenting a more assertive foreign policy, one that takes a harder line on issues like border security and Indian influence in Bangladesh.
Additionally, the interim government’s efforts to reach out to Pakistan could be seen as part of its strategy to balance relations with neighboring countries. In a recent meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, raised the issue of the 1971 Liberation War and sought to open the door for improving relations with Pakistan. This could further complicate relations with India, as the two countries have had a long-standing rivalry, particularly over issues related to the 1971 war.
Despite these political dynamics, experts caution that the border talks should not be viewed solely through the lens of domestic politics. The issues at hand, including border security, cross-border crime, and environmental concerns, are complex and require cooperation between both nations. The outcome of the talks will have a significant impact on the security situation along the Indo-Bangladesh border and the broader bilateral relationship.
It remains to be seen whether Bangladesh’s more assertive approach will result in any tangible changes to India’s border policies or if the two sides will be able to find common ground. The coming weeks will likely see increased diplomatic activity as both countries prepare for the talks in New Delhi.
For now, the focus will be on the upcoming BSF-BGB talks, which promise to be more contentious than in recent years, with both sides likely to present their demands forcefully. While Bangladesh has made it clear that it intends to stand firm on key issues, the hope is that both sides can find ways to cooperate and reduce tensions along the border. The future of Indo-Bangladesh relations may very well depend on the outcome of these crucial talks.
