New Delhi. 09 March 2024. Border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh held Directors General level Coordination Conference w.e.f 5th March to 9th March 2024 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Indian delegation was headed by Shri Nitin Agrawal, IPS, DG BSF and Bangladesh delegation was headed by Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, OSP, BSP, SUP, ndc, psc, M. Phil, Director General Border Guard Bangladesh .
DG level talks between India and Bangladesh are held twice every year – once in India and once in Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh share a civilizational heritage and host of factors that span virtually the entire spectrum of interaction that is possible for neighbors to have. Border Guarding Forces of both the countries have established robust systems through which co-operation in Border Guarding and Border Management is being ensured.
Major agenda points from BSF are prevention against attack/assault/abuse on BSF personnel and Indian civilians by Bangladesh based criminals/miscreants, joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes, action against Indian insurgent groups (IIGs) in Bangladesh, issues related with border infrastructure, joint efforts for effective implementation of CBMP, confidence building measures and other miscellaneous activities while the BGB agendas were prevention of border crimes, border violation/illegal crossing/intrusion into Bangladesh territory by BSF/Indian nationals/miscreants, issues related to border infrastructure within 150 yards of IB, river bank protection works and water sharing, inclusion of additional 3 canals carrying waste water from Agartala to Akaura and establishment of suitable water treatment plant for all 4 canals, illegal construction work within 150 yards of IB by BSF/Indian nationals, location of camps and movement of armed miscreants inside India, effective implementation of CBMP, confidence building measures and other miscellaneous activities.
The highest leadership of two countries has laid the foundation of lasting and mutually beneficial relationship. To carry this agenda forward, following decisions were taken by both the DGs after details discussions on the agenda from both sides.
- Both sides appreciated each other’s concerns and committed to settle different border issues amicably through continued, constructive and positive engagements at all levels. They agreed to implement the decisions of the conference at the ground level in true spirit.
- On the incidents of assault/attack on BSF personnel by Bangladesh based trans-border criminals/miscreants, both sides agreed to undertake combined efforts to bring down such incidents to absolute minimum by increasing coordinated patrols especially during late hours of nights to early morning in vulnerable areas and educating bordering population regarding the sanctity of IB.
- Reiterating the need for synergistic efforts to uphold human rights and curb violence on the border, both sides agreed to work in partnership and engage professionally by enhancing joint patrolling, vigilance, intensifying public awareness program, undertaking appropriate socio-economic development program and sharing of real-time information in order to ensure that incidents of death at the border will be brought down to zero with active mutual cooperation in the near future.
- Highlighting the importance of Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) in curbing trans-border crimes, human trafficking and illegal crossing, both sides agreed to pursue and share real-time information and investigation reports of traffickers (if any), both sides also assured to remain extra vigilant to curb such crimes and put all out efforts to make Indo-Bangladesh border crime free. Both sides also agreed to aid victims of human trafficking and to facilitate their rescue and rehabilitation as soon as possible as per law of the land.
- After discussing all the developmental works within 150 yards of IB, both sides agreed to share approved design of competent authority and go ahead with 06 (six) developmental works on Indian side and 06 (six) developmental works on Bangladesh side. Apart from above mentioned works, as a goodwill gesture BSF agreed to BGB proposal of construction for preserving the 18 graves of martyred freedom fighters at Tamabil and Sylhet.
- Both the sides appreciated the efforts taken for strengthening mutual cooperation through various agreed-upon events under CBMP. Both sides agreed to continue with all the bilateral engagements like Quarterly meeting at Nodal Officers’ Level, coordinated joint patrolling, games and sports, joint retreat ceremonies, goodwill visits, training exchange programmes, visits of the school going children, journalists etc in the days to come.
Both sides expressed their satisfaction over the outcome of the conference and reiterated their commitments to work jointly for maintaining peace and tranquillity at the border. They provisionally agreed to hold the next DG level conference in New Delhi, India at a suitable time in the month of September/October 2024.
