Tense border talks between Bangladesh and India over 'infiltrators'

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2025-08-29 08:36:46 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-01 16:32:18

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Indo-Bangla bi-annual talks spotlight murky issue of 'infiltrators' in border areas

Recently concluded talks held in Dhaka on August 28 took an awkward turn when the Bangladeshi side repeatedly raised the issue of "infiltrators" at the border, pressing India to initiate their immediate return. Amid a backdrop of already strained relations between the neighbours, India rejected any suggestions of "infiltrators", insisting that those returned to Bangladesh were simply "illegal intruders".

The talks, held bi-annually between border force chiefs of Bangladesh and India, coincidentally came just a day after India reportedly pushed over 200 Bangladeshi migrants, including women and children, back across the border. Bangladesh alleges that many of these so-called migrants are actually "infiltrators" or even citizens who have been living in Indian border areas for decades, but have now fallen victim to hostile treatment and arbitrary arrests by Indian authorities.

Many of those pushed back in recent days were detained and processed in the Indian state of Assam, a contentious migration control zone where thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims have been branded illegal and faces detention and deportation. The Bangladeshi border forces chief, Maj Gen Shafeenul Islam, told the local Dhaka Tribune that "the issue of infiltration is basically a bilateral problem".

"India is building a fence along the border to stop infiltration. But the problem remains there and we want a proper channel for solving the issues", he said. His Indian counterpart, Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P, insisted that those returned to Bangladesh were not Bangladeshi citizens, but rather illegal intruders.

"We are only pushing back the illegal intruders, as per the established procedures", he was quoted as saying. Bangladesh says the talks, focussed on border security and management, had been constructive, and both sides agreed to continue working together.

The unresolved issue of "infiltrators" in border areas continues to create tension between the countries, leaving many families torn between countries, laws, and livelihoods.

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