Bangladesh is preparing to send a sixth formal letter to India, urging it to halt the ongoing practice of pushing undocumented individuals across the border into Bangladesh, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hossain acknowledged the challenge of physically stopping the push-ins but stressed the importance of diplomatic and consular engagement. “Push-ins are going on. Physically preventing them is not feasible,” he stated, adding that Bangladesh is willing to work with India through established verification mechanisms.
According to reports, over 2,000 individuals have been pushed into Bangladesh by Indian authorities, who claim they were living illegally in Indian states. Hossain emphasized that any such repatriations should occur through proper procedures and verification, noting that some of India’s submitted lists were outdated.
The issue comes amid growing concern over border violence, following the recent killing of 22-year-old Pradip Badyha by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). While recent diplomatic responses from Dhaka have appeared more subdued, Hossain dismissed claims of a policy shift. “We continue to protest strongly. Shooting people dead at the border is unacceptable—it doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world,” he said.
The adviser also addressed unresolved issues, including India’s silence on Bangladesh’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces charges of crimes against humanity. Despite a letter sent last December, no response has been received.
On trade tensions, Hossain referred to India’s April withdrawal of port access for Bangladeshi goods to third countries as a “blessing in disguise,” noting that the move prompted Bangladesh to establish alternative trade routes, such as direct exports from Sylhet. Responding to questions about Bangladesh’s subsequent yarn import ban from India, he said the action was based on necessity and not necessarily retaliatory.
Bangladesh continues to seek a structured and respectful bilateral relationship, advocating for transparent dialogue on issues ranging from undocumented migration and border security to trade logistics and regional cooperation.
