GUWAHATI: The Government of India has made progress in securing its border with Bangladesh, with fencing now covering 3,232.218 km of the 4,096.7 km-long boundary. In the Lok Sabha, Nityanand Rai, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, provided an update on the status of the fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border.
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This initiative was led by the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen border security, curb illegal activities, and prevent cross-border crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking, and unauthorised movement of individuals.
He also clarified that India has consistently conveyed to Bangladesh that all border security measures, including fencing, are undertaken according to mutually agreed protocols and bilateral agreements. The government has also expressed its expectation that Bangladesh will adhere to earlier understandings and adopt a cooperative approach in tackling cross-border crimes.
However, 864.482 km of the border remains unfenced, including 174.514 km of non-feasible terrain that poses considerable challenges. Factors such as land acquisition issues, objections from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), seasonal constraints, and difficult geographical conditions like marshy lands and landslide-prone areas have hindered the completion of the fencing project.
Both nations continue to engage in discussions to ensure that security measures do not impact the friendly ties between them. The Indian government remains committed to completing the feasible stretches of fencing while maintaining diplomatic dialogue with Bangladesh to address concerns and ensure effective border management.