Bangladesh-India agree to expand border fencing and enhance communication

High-level discussions between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) concluded on Friday, with both countries identifying approximately 100 new areas for border fencing, according to sources from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs.

These additional locations will be integrated into the ongoing border security fencing efforts between the two nations, as reported by The Telegraph India.
To foster better coordination and strengthen bilateral relations amid existing border tensions, both sides also agreed to establish a dedicated communication channel between their respective border forces.

Recent Border Tensions and Resolution Efforts
Tensions flared recently when BGB opposed the construction of a border fence in the Malda district. The Indo-Bangladesh border, spanning 4,096 kilometers across states such as West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, has historically been a source of contention over fencing and management policies.
During the three-day discussions, which concluded on Thursday, both nations reached an agreement to install fencing at nearly 100 additional stretches while continuing the existing construction efforts led by India.
Furthermore, to promote peaceful border management, the two countries decided to open a communication line between deputy commanders from both forces. This initiative aims to strengthen mutual trust and ensure a smoother exchange of critical border-related information.

Enhanced Security Measures and Communication Upgrades
As part of their commitment to border security, the chiefs of BGB and BSF agreed to intensify joint patrols and reinforce night surveillance to curb cross-border criminal activities.
According to sources, approximately 864.48 kilometers of the Indo-Bangladesh border remain unfenced, including 174.51 kilometers of "non-feasible" areas, such as riverine stretches.
To improve real-time intelligence sharing, a new communication link will be established between the additional director-general (ADG) of the BSF’s eastern command in Kolkata and his BGB counterpart in Dhaka.
Currently, communication between the two forces is maintained through hotlines connecting their top officials, including force chiefs, inspector-generals (BSF) and regional commanders (BGB), as well as deputy inspector-generals (BSF) and sector commanders (BGB). This system facilitates prompt resolution of border-related issues and cross-border security threats.

Bangladesh’s Objections to Border Fencing
Bangladesh has consistently opposed India’s border fencing initiative, citing a violation of the 1975 Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities. According to these guidelines, no defense structures should be erected within 150 yards of the Zero Line along the international border.