Govt sent 12-13 letters to India over push-ins: Shama Obaed

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said Bangladesh has sent 12 to 13 letters to the Indian government seeking an end to alleged push-ins along the border.

Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (8 June), the state minister said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been strongly resisting attempts by India to push people into Bangladesh.

“There is an established process for returning undocumented individuals. India must follow that procedure,” she said.

Shama Obaed also warned that such incidents could affect efforts to improve bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Responding to a question on whether push-in incidents could hamper ongoing attempts to restore relations, she said each issue should be viewed separately.

“Every event, every case is different. One is not necessarily linked to another,” she said.

“However, if such incidents continue at the border and the Indian government takes the matter seriously, it will become much easier for us to move the relationship forward.”

The state minister urged India to use diplomatic channels when repatriating undocumented individuals or prisoners.

“In no way will it be good for us if these push-ins continue,” she said.

She added that both countries should follow existing diplomatic mechanisms if they genuinely want to take Bangladesh-India relations to “a new height”.

“India also speaks about a paradigm shift in bilateral relations. If that paradigm shift is to happen, then both countries should follow the established diplomatic processes,” she said.

In recent weeks, Bangladesh has deployed a large number of BGB personnel across border areas in 26 districts to prevent alleged push-ins by India’s Border Security Force (BSF), including incidents involving women and children.

Border guards are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance, while local residents are also assisting authorities in several areas.

Meanwhile, the 57th director general-level conference between the BGB and BSF began in New Delhi on Monday and will continue until 11 June.

According to the BGB, issues including illegal push-ins, killings of Bangladeshis along the border and broader border management will receive priority during the talks.