Bangladesh's serious allegation on India: Tension increased due to 'pushing' action across the border, what is the whole matter?

Dhaka/New Delhi: Bangladesh has made serious allegations against India, saying that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is illegally 'pushing' people into the Bangladesh border. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry sent a letter to India on 8 May 2025, objecting to this action and demanding to stop it immediately. The issue has escalated tensions between the two countries, especially when regional security is already sensitive due to recent India-Pakistan tensions and Operation Sindoor.

What is the whole matter?

Bangladesh claims that India forcibly pushed more than 300 people, including Bangladeshi nationals, Rohingya refugees and some Indian nationals, into Bangladesh through the Sundarbans and other border areas such as Kurigram, Khagrachhari, and Satkhira in the first week of May 2025. According to a report by The Daily Star, between May 7 and 9, the BSF sent these people across the border without any formal verification or bilateral agreement. The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued 75 people in the Sundarbans' Manderbaria Char area on May 9, many of whom claimed they were tortured by Indian officials.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced at a press conference in Guwahati on May 10 that India has adopted a 'push back' policy for illegal Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingya refugees. Sarma said that convicted foreign nationals (CFNs) kept at Matia transit camp in Assam were also sent to Bangladesh. The policy was implemented under India's Foreigners Act, 1946, which penalizes those who enter without documents.

Bangladesh's objection and human rights concerns

Bangladesh called the action a violation of the 1975 India-Bangladesh Joint Guidelines and the 2011 Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP). Dhaka says India has violated its sovereignty by pushing people across the border without any verification. "If India feels these are illegal Bangladeshi nationals, it should inform through formal channels. Pushing people on dubious grounds is inhumane," said former Bangladeshi diplomat Humayun Kabir.

Human rights organisations have also condemned the action. Kiriti Roy, founder of Banglar Human Rights Suraksha Manch (MASUM), said pushing people across the border without due process was a violation of international law. He also pointed out that there was no clear information about the origin of the people pushed across.

India's stand and regional tensions

India has not formally responded to these allegations, but government sources say the action was taken to prevent illegal infiltration and regional security. According to The Hindu, 295 Bangladeshi nationals were deported in 2024, and 100 more were handed over to the Bangladesh Border Guard Force (BGB) by April 2025. India claims that Bangladesh sometimes delays accepting these people, which makes such actions necessary.

The controversy has come to light at a time when security has been beefed up along the eastern border following India-Pakistan tensions and Operation Sindoor. According to a Hindustan Times report, a military exercise called 'Teesta Prahar' began on May 4 along the Bangladesh border in West Bengal and Assam, aimed at preventing infiltration and smuggling. A night curfew was imposed in Meghalaya from May 8, and surveillance on the border became tighter with a drone being recovered in Assam.

Impact on bilateral relations

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096.7 km long border, of which 3,232.21 km is fenced. The two countries share an extradition treaty, but there is no formal agreement for the large-scale deportation of illegal immigrants. Bangladesh has offered coordinated repatriation, but India's unilateral actions have angered Dhaka.

Further, the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh and India's support to her has increased political tensions between the two countries. Some analysts in Bangladesh believe that this 'push-in' policy may be part of India's regional strategy.

Conclusion

This dispute on the India-Bangladesh border highlights the lack of trust between the two countries. While India is prioritising its security, Bangladesh considers it an attack on its sovereignty. Will this issue be resolved through diplomatic talks, or will tensions between the two countries increase further? The eyes of the international community and human rights organisations are now fixed on this sensitive matter.