'We've made our position very clear': India on border row with Bangladesh
India today (17 January) reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border with Bangladesh, pointing out the need for enhanced security measures and adherence to bilateral agreements, reports Times of India.
In a press conference, India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have made our position very clear. We had summoned the acting deputy high commissioner and made our position on border fencing very clear.
"We remain committed to ensuring a crime-free border with Bangladesh by effectively addressing cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, and trafficking."
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The spokesperson also said, "Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices, and cattle fences are measures that are aimed at securing the border. All earlier understandings in this regard will be implemented by Bangladesh in a cooperative approach towards combating such crimes."
The statement came after the MEA summoned Bangladesh's acting high commissioner to India, Nurul Islam, earlier in the week to discuss ongoing border security issues. During the meeting, India stressed the importance of implementing all previously agreed-upon measures to strengthen border security.
India attested to its commitment to sticking to protocols and agreements concerning border fencing and security measures established between the two governments and their respective border forces, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The diplomatic dialogue followed a similar move by Bangladesh, which had summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma a day earlier to discuss collaborative strategies for addressing border-related crime.
