The contentious issue of Bangladeshi citizens illegally residing in India is expected to take center stage during the BSF-Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) Director General-level talks that begin today in New Delhi.
57th Round of Bilateral Talks
The 57th round of these talks, which are held every six months alternately in both countries, is anticipated to be heated. Bangladesh has accused India of forcibly pushing its citizens into Bangladeshi territory, claiming them to be illegal immigrants.
The discussions, which commence today, will continue until June 11.
Bangladesh's Stance
Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed earlier this week told reporters, "The situation on the frontier, bilateral cooperation, and particularly the issue of illegal push-ins will be placed with importance by the BGB." This marks the first such dialogue since a BNP-led government assumed power in Bangladesh and the BJP won the Assembly elections in neighboring West Bengal.
India's Position
India, on its part, has maintained that only illegal intruders are being pushed back following due procedures. New Delhi's policy states that all illegal foreign nationals staying in India must be repatriated as per its laws, procedures, and established bilateral arrangements.
Last month, responding to a Bangladeshi minister's remark on push-ins, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We expect Bangladesh to expedite nationality verification so that repatriation of illegal immigrants can take place smoothly."
