Over the past six weeks, Bangladesh has faced a deeply troubling spike in illegal cross-border push-ins from India. As per report published in the New Nation on Sunday, with 1,597 individuals — among them suspected Indian nationals, Bangladeshi returnees, and at least 64 Rohingyas — detained between 7 May and 19 June, the scale of the issue reveals not only a breach of border protocols but also an alarming disregard for human rights and international law.
While the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and allied forces continue their efforts to contain the influx, the challenge of managing such porous and remote terrain is compounded by India’s apparent unwillingness to honour established repatriation mechanisms.
These actions contradict the spirit of bilateral agreements, such as the 1975 Joint Guidelines and the 2011 Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), both of which emphasise coordination and mutual respect.
Worse still is the violation of international humanitarian law. Forced returns of Rohingya refugees, who are entitled to international protection, represent a flagrant breach of conventions India itself is expected to uphold.
As Amnesty International rightly points out, push-ins conducted without due process and the receiving country’s consent undermine fundamental human rights. Arbitrary and unilateral deportations not only strain bilateral relations but risk igniting regional tensions and eroding trust.
The pattern of push-ins — especially the large-scale entries on 26 May and again in mid-June — suggests deliberate coordination rather than isolated incidents. The mingling of Indian citizens with undocumented migrants further complicates the situation and raises legitimate concerns about India’s strategic intent.
Bangladesh has responded with restraint and dignity. Flag meetings, protest notes, and continued calls for formal procedures reflect a commitment to international norms. However, silence and inaction from New Delhi are no longer tenable.
This editorial urges the Government of Bangladesh to escalate its diplomatic response, including through international forums if necessary. Simultaneously, India must be held accountable for its actions. Good neighbours do not push problems across borders; they solve them together.
As the BGB Director General rightly stated, border management is complex, but complexity cannot excuse impunity. For peace to prevail in South Asia, the rule of law, not the rule of force, must govern our frontiers.
