India-Bangladesh border fence is latest irritant in once-strong ties

Objection by new Dhaka govt to work resumption halts long-delayed Delhi project

- Nirmala Ganapathy

NEW DELHI - A border fence has emerged as a fresh source of tension between India and Bangladesh, underlining the growing disconnect between the two countries that were once an exemplar of good neighbourliness in South Asia.

The dispute flared up after India's Border Security Force (BSF) resumed building a single-row, barbed wire fence along a 1,200m stretch of the border between Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal in the week of Jan 6.

Fencing the border has been a longstanding Indian initiative to deter illegal immigration and cross-border criminal activities.

The fencing work had begun in April 2024 under an understanding between New Delhi and the government of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But in August, Ms Hasina was forced to flee Dhaka following massive student-led protests, and sought asylum in India.

According to the BSF, work on the fence had continued until the onset of monsoon rains in June forced a stoppage.

But when an attempt was made to resume the fencing work in November, it had to be stopped abruptly after the new interim government in Bangladesh raised objections.

Bangladesh's opposition to the border fencing project stems from the contention that the fencing is a defence structure. India contends that it is a security measure.

Now, a full-blown diplomatic row has erupted following the resumption of work by New Delhi.

India has accused the Border Guard Bangladesh of trying to obstruct the fencing work, while Dhaka has accused New Delhi of violating bilateral border agreements.

India has maintained that the installation of the barbed wire fencing is well within the ambit of the agreements.

The two countries summoned each other's diplomats to lodge protests and counter-protests, with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma called in by Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry on Jan 12 to express concern over the fencing.