New Delhi:
The Foreign Ministry today summoned Nural Islam, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, to discuss the escalating tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka. On Sunday, the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma following allegations that India was attempting to construct fences at five specific locations along the 4,156-kilometre Indo-Bangladeshi border.
These actions were said to be in violation of a bilateral agreement governing border activities.
Mr Verma arrived at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Dhaka around 3:00 pm local time. His meeting with Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin lasted approximately 45 minutes, according to the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency.
“Dhaka and New Delhi “have understandings with regard to fencing the border for security. Our two border guard enforcements – BSF and BGB (Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh) – have been in communication in this regard. We expect that this understanding will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crimes along the border,” Mr Verma said.
Diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh have been stable historically. But former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, her subsequent refuge in India and the interim government of Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka have strained relationships between the two nations.
