Bangladesh has said that it had foiled several attempts by India to force people into the country over the previous 24 hours, reviving a dispute over alleged undocumented migration and clouding efforts to improve ties between the South Asian neighbours.
Their border is one of the longest land frontiers in the world, stretching for more than 4,000 km (2,500 miles) across all sorts of terrain, making it difficult to police.
Border Guard Bangladesh said on Thursday it had detected 10 attempted infringements by Indian authorities along several sections of the border.
India’s Border Security Force and the Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to requests for comment.
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which governs the border states of Tripura, West Bengal and Assam, has said it would tackle undocumented migration as a priority, and since last year, it has been trying to push Bengali-speaking Muslims branded “illegal infiltrators” into Bangladesh.
The issue has complicated efforts by both countries to mend ties following the 2024 ousting of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s long-time India-aligned leader.
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