Bangladesh to send fresh note to India on border issue, says adviser

Foreign affairs adviser raises concern over the continued push-in of individuals across the border

Listen to article

Bangladesh is preparing to send a fresh diplomatic note to India, raising concern over the continued push-in of individuals across the border, Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hossain said the note would be “substantive” and is likely to be dispatched on Wednesday or Thursday. “We will give them a fresh letter… a substantive letter,” he said, in response to a question on the government’s next steps.

When asked whether the note would be framed in strong or softer language, the adviser said, “It depends on how it is viewed.”

He said that Dhaka continues to maintain regular diplomatic communication with New Delhi on the issue through existing mechanisms. India, he added, had provided a list of individuals it claims are Bangladeshi nationals, some of whom Bangladesh has accepted following verification.

Read more: Bangladesh cancels $21m defence contract with India’s GRSE

Reiterating Dhaka’s position, the adviser stated that each case would be considered individually and that individuals would only be accepted if their Bangladeshi citizenship was confirmed. “We see it [push-in] is happening. It is not possible to face physically,” he remarked.

Hossain emphasised the importance of utilising the established consular mechanisms to address such matters in a structured and legal manner. “There is a mechanism on consular issues, and using the mechanism, Dhaka is trying to bring it under the set rules,” he said.

Responding to a separate question, he said there had been no development regarding the deportation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.