864 km of India-Bangladesh border remains unfenced
The Standing Committee on External Affairs examined the state of India-Bangladesh relations to identify security, trade, and diplomatic challenges. This matters to citizens as it impacts border security, trade efficiency, and the management of shared resources like water.
Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs (implied via border management/immigration), and the general public affected by border security, trade, and water resources.
- Law and order: Committee noted instability in Bangladesh and recommended India support democratic processes and counter anti-India narratives.
- Boundary agreement: Committee flagged unresolved demarcation challenges in areas like the Sundarbans and recommended expediting the process.
- Border management: Committee noted 864 km of the 4,096 km border is unfenced; recommended expediting fencing for the feasible 689 km and deploying modern surveillance tools (drones, sensors).
- Illegal immigration: Committee noted 2,369 cases of suspected Bangladeshi nationals awaiting verification and recommended establishing a dedicated bilateral mechanism or joint working group.
- Trade relations: Committee identified obstacles including import duties, port congestion, and warehousing deficiencies; recommended upgrading infrastructure, concluding CEPA negotiations by 2026, and finalizing BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement protocols.
- Lines of Credit (LOCs): Committee observed that several projects under the ~USD 10 billion assistance package have not commenced or face delays; recommended a comprehensive review of the LOC portfolio.
- Chinese influence: Committee noted growing Chinese influence in Bangladesh’s defence and infrastructure and recommended closer monitoring.
- Water co-operation: Committee noted agreements exist only for the Ganga and two other rivers out of 54 shared; recommended beginning discussions on the Ganga Water Treaty (expiring 2026) and regular meetings of the Joint Rivers Commission.
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Document details
| Official title | Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship |
| Source body | Parliamentary Standing Committee reports (via PRS Legislative Research) |
| Reference number | future-of-india-bangladesh-relationship |
| Status | closed (committee_report) |
| Year | — |
| Closing date | — |
| Documents | 1 |