Bangladesh and India share a border of about 4,156 kilometres, which is the fifth longest in the world and one of the most complex and sensitive. This border connects Bangladesh with the five Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. However, this long border has long been plagued by various crises such as border killings, smuggling, illegal crossings, water-sharing disputes, Push-in, barbed wire fences, and border enclaves. Since August 5, 2024, political changes in Bangladesh have taken on new dimensions and are creating widespread public discontent.
Some areas of the Bangladesh-India border are prone to various crimes. The Chapainawabganj border has problems with cattle and drug smuggling, push-back actions, and killings. Drug smuggling and illegal crossings happen more at the Kushtia border. At the Jessore border, cattle smuggling, drug smuggling, and illegal crossings are common. The Comilla border is risky because of human trafficking, arms smuggling, and drug trade. The Khulna border is known for smuggling drugs, cattle, and other illegal items. Cattle and drug smuggling also happen a lot at the Dinajpur border. The Panchagarh border has a bad reputation for drug, cattle, and human trafficking.
The root cause of this crisis lies in the Partition of British India in 1947. The Radcliffe Commission, formed under the leadership of Sir Cyril Radcliffe, hastily demarcated the border based on insufficient information. As a result, numerous enclaves and unmarked boundary lines were created, which later became sources of smuggling and local disputes. Some small border areas, such as Roumari in Kurigram or parts of Tripura, are still disputed today. Although the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement and the 2015 Protocol resolved most of the issues, some remain unresolved.
India supported Bangladesh's independence during the 1971 Liberation War, and after independence, the Indira-Mujib Agreement (1974 Land Boundary Agreement) was signed. The main objective of this agreement was to exchange enclaves and demarcate the boundary line. However, full implementation was delayed for decades due to political changes and internal crises.
In the 2000s-2010s, India expanded construction of barbed wire fencing along the Bangladesh-India border, ostensibly to prevent smuggling and infiltration. Human rights groups have linked these measures to the deaths of more than 1,000 Bangladeshi civilians during this period. A high-profile incident was the killing of 15-year-old Felani Khatun on 7 January 2011; photographs of her body hanging from the barbed wire fence after being shot by the BSF sparked widespread protests in Bangladesh and drew international attention to border killings. That same year, an amendment to the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement was signed, and in 2015, the Land Boundary Agreement Implementation Protocol came into effect, ending a 68-year-long enclave-related humanitarian crisis.
After August 5, 2024, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) took a tougher stance on the border due to political changes in Bangladesh. As a result, while border killings have not completely stopped, the incidents have become more public due to protests and media activism. A clear example is the death of teenager Swarna Das on September 1, 2024, at the Kulaura border in Moulvibazar. His death in BSF firing sparked public protests along the border, which was uncommon in the past. The widespread coverage of the killing in traditional and social media has once again brought human rights concerns and diplomatic pressure to the fore.
Smuggling along the Bangladesh-India border is a complex and persistent problem. The most commonly smuggled drugs from India are phensedyl, marijuana, heroin, and injectable narcotics, which put the country's youth at risk. Cattle smuggling continues to this day and often leads to border killings. The smuggling of illegal arms and ammunition poses a major threat to national security, as they often end up in the hands of terrorist groups. In addition, women and children are trafficked, lured by promises of a better life a serious crime. The smuggling of essential commodities, such as sugar, cumin, and cloth from India, and diesel and soybean oil from Bangladesh, causes economic losses to both countries.
One of the major problems between Bangladesh and India is the issue of water sharing. Bangladesh, as a downstream country, faces various crises due to India's unilateral withdrawal of water from 54 common rivers. Despite years of negotiations on sharing the waters of the Teesta River, the agreement could not be signed in 2011 due to objections from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On the other hand, the 1996 Ganga Treaty will expire in 2026, which is a cause for concern about the future.
Another significant problem between India and Bangladesh is the "push-in" issue, a long-standing and sensitive matter. Recently, it has resurfaced. The term refers to the act of forcibly pushing people from India into Bangladesh. While the same incident is considered "pushback" for India, it is regarded as "push-in" for Bangladesh.
The incidents of push-in have been increasing since the beginning of May this year. According to various media reports, about 1,222 people were pushed into Bangladesh from May 7 to May 31. This figure later increased, and by the end of June it had crossed 1,700. Push-in individuals have been entering Bangladesh through various borders, such as Moulvibazar, Kurigram, Feni, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Khagrachhari, Comilla, Sylhet, and Sunamganj. There are allegations that the BSF carried out these actions under the cover of darkness or by using remote areas.
Meanwhile, India has several allegations against Bangladesh regarding the border, including allowing illegal infiltrators to cross into Indian territory, insufficient cooperation in preventing smuggling, and failing to take appropriate measures to stop the smuggling of illegal goods such as drugs, cattle, and weapons. Indian authorities allege that Bangladeshi border guards have opened fire on Indian territory during border killings and shootings. Bangladesh is also accused of inadequate cooperation in border management. It is further alleged that Bangladesh is reluctant to conduct joint inspections and exchange information. In addition, the number of unauthorized entrants from Bangladesh is increasing along the border due to the growth of illegal settlements, which is complicating the border situation.
There are some proposed solutions for resolving the Bangladesh-India border crisis, which require a combination of diplomatic, economic, and technical measures. The most effective approach is sustained, constructive diplomatic dialogue involving the foreign ministries, border guards (BGB and BSF), and local administrations of both countries.
Technological surveillance should be expanded through the use of drones, CCTV cameras, and sensors to curb smuggling and illegal crossings. Joint initiatives could include establishing more border haats, implementing poverty-alleviation programs, and generating employment opportunities to discourage local residents from engaging in illicit activities.
Equally important is reaching a permanent and equitable agreement on sharing the waters of the Teesta and other common rivers, with solutions modelled on the 1996 Ganga Treaty. Public awareness campaigns in border regions should focus on the dangers of smuggling and human trafficking. If implemented in a coordinated manner, these steps could foster friendlier relations between Bangladesh and India and ensure long-term stability along the border.
The writer is a journalist
