Bangladesh-India border conference in Delhi on Monday

Bangladesh will adopt a stronger stance in the upcoming 55th director general-level conference between Border Guard Bangladesh and India's Border Security Force, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said yesterday. The four-day conference will take place in New Delhi from Monday, February 17.

At a press briefing following an inter-ministerial preparatory meeting at the Secretariat, Jahangir said, "Our tone [during the talks] will be different."

He emphasised that the killing of unarmed Bangladeshi civilians by BSF personnel and Indian miscreants at the border must end.

"This is unacceptable under any circumstances. We'll strongly press India to take effective measures to stop border killings."

He also highlighted concerns over the abduction of Bangladeshi farmers near the border and called for immediate action to prevent such incidents.

Regarding cross-border smuggling, Jahangir pointed to the large influx of illegal drugs, particularly Phensedyl, from India under the guise of medication.

"This issue will be addressed seriously, and we'll demand stricter measures to curb drug trafficking."

The meeting also discussed India's construction of barbed wire fences within 150 yards of the zero line -- a move that requires mutual consent from both countries.

"Any development within this zone must be approved by both countries. We'll ensure this principle is upheld," the adviser said.

Bangladesh will push for discussions on river water-sharing, seeking fair implementations of existing treaties.

Jahangir said industrial waste from India enters Bangladesh through Agartala, violating the environmental agreement between the two countries.

"Our agreement mentions Effluent Treatment Plants and Sewage Treatment Plants, but it needs to be explicitly stated in the treaty. We'll raise this issue during the discussions."

The meeting at the Secretariat, chaired by the home adviser, was attended by Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Home Affairs Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, BGB Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, and senior officials from the home ministry.

Among other issues at the BGB-BSF conference will be illegal infiltration and human trafficking.

Jahangir pointed out disputes in Feni's Muhuri Char, where issues with border demarcation remain unresolved.

Another key agenda point will be misinformation spread by the Indian media regarding Bangladesh.

"We'll discuss how to prevent false narratives that create unnecessary tensions between the two nations."

Bangladesh will also push for the effective implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan to enhance border security and dispute resolution.