Bangladesh and India to discuss key border issues in 55th BGB-BSF conference

A major border conference between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) is set to start on Monday, February 17, in Delhi. 

This four-day meeting marks the 55th session between the two border forces.

Md. Shariful Islam, the Public Relations Officer (Media) of BGB, shared the details about the upcoming conference on Sunday, February 16.

The Bangladesh delegation will be led by the Director General of BGB, with 14 members in total. Along with senior BGB officials, the delegation will include representatives from several government departments, such as the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Department of Land Survey, and the Joint River Commission.

On the Indian side, the BSF Director General will lead a 13-member team, including senior BSF officials and representatives from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs.

The main issues to be discussed during the conference include:

• Preventing border killings, shootings, and the detention or abduction of unarmed Bangladeshi citizens.
• Tackling the smuggling of drugs, arms, ammunition, and other banned items from India into Bangladesh.
• Stopping illegal immigration, especially of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals crossing into Bangladesh.
• Halting the construction of unauthorized infrastructure, including barbed wire fences within 150 yards of the border, and addressing other ongoing border development issues.
• Finding solutions for wastewater management from four border canals flowing from Agartala to Akhaura by setting up suitable water treatment plants.
• Opening the mouth of the Rahimpur Canal connected to the Kushiara River in Zakiganj.
• Exchanging information about the possible locations and activities of regional separatist armed groups.
• Working towards the successful implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) to resolve border issues, improve relations between the two countries, and foster trust and cooperation.

The conference is set to wrap up on Thursday, February 20, with the Bangladesh delegation returning home on the same day.

This conference will be crucial for the two countries as they work on improving border management and resolving key issues to ensure a peaceful and cooperative relationship.