‘Followed all protocols’: India summons Bangladesh envoy amid border fencing row

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday summoned Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Nural Islam and conveyed that India had followed all protocols and agreements between New Delhi and Dhaka regarding “security measures at the border”.

This came a day after the Bangladeshi foreign ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to discuss concerns about border tensions.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Mohammed Jashim Uddin said that his country had “deep concern” about recent activities of India’s Border Security Force along the border between the two countries. Hours earlier, Bangladesh accused India of trying to construct fences along the border at five places in violation of a bilateral agreement.

On Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs stated: “It was conveyed that with regard to security measures at the border, including on fencing, India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh.”

The ministry stated that it reiterated to Islam its commitment to ensuring a “crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking”.

“Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border,” it said.

New Delhi also told the Bangladeshi envoy that it expects all earlier understandings will...

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