India’s push-ins strain ties with Bangladesh
Gazi Anowar :
Tensions have risen along the India-Bangladesh border following repeated “push-in” incidents by Indian authorities, raising concerns about the health of bilateral relations between the two South Asian neighbors.
Over the past several days, Indian border forces have reportedly pushed dozens of undocumented individuals-many of whom had lived in India for years-into Bangladeshi territory without prior coordination or legal procedures.
Bangladeshi authorities have expressed concern over these unilateral actions. Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, emphasized that repatriation of illegal immigrants should follow proper diplomatic channels. He urged India to avoid such “push-ins” and adhere to legal procedures.
“We will not push back Indians illegally residing in Bangladesh. Instead, we will repatriate them through proper diplomatic channels,” he said. “Pushing people across the border without legal process is a violation of international norms.”
The Home Affairs Adviser confirmed that India has conducted push-in operations through several sectors, including Mandarbariya and parts of the Sundarbans and Brahmanbaria. He said that Bangladesh had already issued formal protests and was working through diplomatic channels to resolve the issue.
“Letters have been sent, and discussions have been held with our ambassador, foreign affairs adviser, and national security adviser to seek a diplomatic solution,” he noted. “We urge India to respect due process, just as we do when we return Indian nationals from our side.”
Observers and experts warn that such incidents, if left unchecked, could seriously erode the foundations of what has historically been described as a “friendly” relationship.
Professor Shahiduzzaman of Dhaka University’s Department of International Relations was critical of India’s actions, saying:
“A friendly neighboring country does not engage in such unilateral actions. If India continues to disregard diplomatic protocols, it cannot expect Bangladesh to treat it as a trusted partner. We must now consider regional balancing-through diplomatic engagement with other powers or even legal redress at the United Nations.”
He further urged the government to prepare for long-term diplomatic pressure campaigns and greater international visibility to resist future coercive border practices.Analysts say Bangladesh’s next steps should include: A formal demarche to India’s High Commission in Dhaka.
Bilateral talks under SAARC or BIMSTEC frameworks to address border management. Engagement with international organizations like UNHCR, especially in cases where Rohingya refugees were included in the push-ins. Consideration of third-party or neutral observers along vulnerable stretches of the border.
Despite the tensions, Bangladesh continues to seek a peaceful and lawful resolution, aiming to restore mutual respect and stability along one of the world’s most densely populated frontiers.