Rising tensions at Bangladesh-India border: Experts blame Awami League‍‍`s agreements

Tensions along the Bangladesh-India border have been on the rise lately, and experts are pointing fingers at the Awami League government. 

They say the imbalanced agreements made during the Awami League’s time in power have made things more complicated, putting the border forces of both countries in a difficult situation.

The trouble began after the student protests in August 5, which led to the downfall of the Awami League government. 

Following this, Sheikh Hasina took refuge in India, and various issues between the two countries started to grow, especially regarding the construction of barbed wire fences on the border. 

In Chapainawabganj and other areas, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) objected to construction taking place within 150 yards of the border, which also affected local residents.

According to an agreement made between Bangladesh and India in 1975, any construction work within 150 yards of the border requires permission from the other country. 

However, in 2011, under the Awami League government, a new agreement was made that allows India to build fences even within the zero line if necessary. 

Experts say this change has caused direct confrontations between the BGB and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

Security expert Brigadier General (Retd.) Jahid Rahman said, 

“The new agreement differs significantly from the 1975 one, and this is why we are seeing this issue now. In my opinion, the new agreement is unfair, and it has harmed Bangladesh. Through this agreement, India’s ambitions of the past 30 or 40 years have been realized.”

Experts also believe that the Awami League government made this unequal agreement with India in order to keep the neighboring country happy and to maintain good relations, offering more benefits to India.

Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Jahid Rahman added, 

"The Awami League might have thought they could prolong their rule by giving India certain concessions. We have only seen that India has been given things, but there’s never been a fair exchange. If the Awami League truly cared about the country and its people, they wouldn’t have pursued this agreement."

This border issue is expected to be a major topic at the upcoming meeting between the BGB and the BSF in New Delhi.