New Delhi: The 57th Director General-level Border Coordination Conference between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from June 8 to 11. This four-day conference will address issues related to border security, including enhanced fencing and measures to prevent illegal crossings.
Key topics for discussion include the increasing incidents of fence breaches by Bangladeshi nationals and ongoing challenges in securing the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border. A BSF spokesperson noted that senior officials from both nations are expected to review current security arrangements and explore enhanced cooperation to address border-related threats.
The Indian delegation will be led by BSF Director General Praveen Kumar, while BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui will lead the Bangladeshi team. The official emphasized that the issue of fence breaches will be thoroughly examined.
Security agencies have highlighted attempts by individuals to illegally cross the border, often utilizing vulnerable areas and river routes. These breaches not only facilitate illegal migration but also contribute to smuggling and other trans-border criminal activities.
The agenda will also cover the construction of border fencing, which India is actively pursuing to reduce infiltration and smuggling. However, challenges remain in certain regions due to difficult terrain and land availability.
Officials are expected to seek solutions to expedite pending projects and improve coordination for effective border management. The meeting will also focus on action against Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) that seek refuge across the border, with India looking for continued support from Bangladesh in curbing their activities.
Additional topics include trans-border crime, attacks on border personnel, confidence-building measures, and intelligence sharing. The official noted that the conference aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and maintain stability along the shared border.
The coordination mechanism between India and Bangladesh is rooted in the Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities, established in 1975 to ensure regular interactions for addressing border security concerns. The first meeting under this framework occurred on December 2, 1975, in Kolkata, and since then, biannual Director General-level meetings have been held alternately in India and Bangladesh.
Source: www.etvbharat.com via Google News.
