Bangladesh and India have agreed to strengthen cooperation along their shared border, fifth longest in the world, through coordinated patrols and improved intelligence sharing, according to a joint statement released Friday.
The agreement followed four days of talks in New Delhi between Border Guard Bangladesh and India’s Border Security Force. The agencies described the discussions as “cordial, positive and forward-looking.”
Relations have been strained by Bangladesh’s accusations that Indian authorities have tried to force migrants across the border without due process.
Shama Obaed Islam, state minister for foreign affairs, said earlier this week that such push-ins were “absolutely unacceptable.”
The statement said both sides discussed illegal crossings, human trafficking, border deaths, smuggling and infrastructure.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, tranquillity and stability along the India-Bangladesh border,” the statement said.
Officials will next meet in Dhaka in November.