Credit: X/ MoFA Bangladesh

Tactics Institute Urges De-escalation Amid Rising India-Bangladesh Border Tensions

The Tactics Institute for Security and Peace is particularly concerned with recent border tensions rising between India and Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh were recently at each other’s throats over issues in border security arrangements and allegations against each other concerning violations of their bilateral agreements. The Institute emphasizes the need to exercise restraint, and through new efforts, they should settle these issues peacefully through dialogue by maintaining regional stability and cooperative relations.

On January 12, 2025, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to address growing tensions linked to India’s alleged construction of border fences at five locations. Dhaka has asserted that these activities breach the terms of a bilateral agreement. The diplomatic meeting followed a contentious move by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to install barbed wire fencing at Sukdevpur in West Bengal. This action faced immediate resistance from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), resulting in a temporary suspension of construction after a flag meeting between the two forces.

The historical context of the India-Bangladesh border highlights its complexity. Since the border was established during the partition of British India in 1947 and further influenced by the formation of Bangladesh in 1971, it has become a critical point of demographic shift and political sensitivity. Although the 2015 Indo-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement became a high point in the resolution of territorial disputes on the border, its implementation has proved challenging. Differences in the interpretation of bilateral security protocols further added to the rising tensions and destroyed cooperative efforts to secure the border and curb cross-border crimes.

Recent developments have raised alarms over the potential destabilizing effects on regional peace. The unilateral actions alleged by both sides could exacerbate mistrust and derail the progress made in fostering cooperation. These tensions risk escalating into broader diplomatic rifts, with significant implications for trade, security, and the well-being of border communities.

The Tactics Institute urges both India and Bangladesh to Convene high-level diplomatic discussions to address disagreements over border security measures and ensure adherence to established agreements. Publicly clarify the terms of existing protocols and provide regular updates on border activities to reduce misunderstandings and misinformation.

Strengthen coordination between the BSF and BGB to arrive at joint decisions about security measures and projects on infrastructures. Affirm a commitment to the principles of the Indo-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement as well as all bilateral agreements. Focus on the humanitarian and economic needs of border dwellers whose sources of livelihood and security directly fall under such conflicts.

The Tactics Institute points out the paramount significance of diplomatic engagement and adherence to international norms for not letting border tensions between India and Bangladesh get worse. Cooperative action is a must in this respect to preserve regional stability, mutual trust, and the principles of peaceful coexistence.

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