bsf-bgb-meet-in-delhi-likely-to-be-high-stakes-affairs

The Director General (DG)-level talks between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), slated to be held from February 17 and 20 in New Delhi, is likely to be a high-stakes affair in the backdrop of ongoing border tension between the two countries.

 

While the BSF is all set to bring up recent border-related issues, ranging from the construction of unauthorised sentry-posts by the BGB inside the restricted perimeter to infiltration by smugglers and attack on security personnel, India's eastern neighbour is anticipated to draw attention to India's effort to install fencing in certain border areas.

 

Two days ago, border tension between the two nations escalated after the BSF objected to several unauthorised constructions within 150 yards of the international border, a restricted zone protected by bilateral agreements. The construction was stopped after the BSF's strong objection.

 

"Besides, BGB's intervention when we tried to erect single-row fencing in Malda, Cooch Behar and Nadia districts was undesirable as the activities were being carried out on India's territory. Our DG will also bring up this issue," said a senior BSF official.

 

 The statement by the BGB's DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui three days ago stating that Bangladesh will not make any concession on issues where it feels deprived in its dealings with India is a clear sign that the dialogues between the two nations' security agencies will not be cordial.

 

"We will not compromise on the matters where we believe we have been deprived. We expect to resolve some issues diplomatically but from our side, there will be no concessions," said Siddiqui in a press briefing in Dhaka.

 

Sources in Indian intelligence agencies operating on the soil of Bangladesh said the BGB head is likely to bring up some issues that are already mentioned in the two nations' bilateral agreements.

 

"The BGB will also raise the issue of smuggling of cough syrup phensedyl to Bangladesh from India. They will also bring up the issue of BSF's firing on smugglers. The BGB will try to portray that the BSF fired on innocent Bangladeshis which is completely untrue," said an intelligence officer.