State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed has warned that repeated attempts by Indian authorities to push individuals into Bangladesh without following established legal and verification procedures could undermine ongoing efforts to reset bilateral relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Describing the issue as a key test of the “paradigm shift” both countries have expressed interest in pursuing, she said adherence to agreed mechanisms and diplomatic norms is essential for rebuilding trust and advancing ties.
“The practice of pushing people across the border without completing the agreed verification process is unacceptable,” she told journalists at the foreign ministry on Monday.
Responding to a question on the impact of the issue on bilateral ties, Shama said border incidents and the broader diplomatic relationship are closely linked. “If the Indian government takes these border issues seriously and follows proper procedures, it will be much easier to move the relationship forward,” she said.
Protest letters sent to Delhi
The state minister said Bangladesh has formally raised the issue with India on multiple occasions and has sent 12 to 13 official letters protesting such incidents.
According to her, any effort to return individuals without using the established verification and repatriation mechanisms risks damaging bilateral relations.
“If India continues these push-in processes instead of using the formal mechanism, it will not be good for the relationship,” she said.
She stressed that if both countries genuinely seek a paradigm shift and want to elevate relations to “new heights”, they must rely on existing diplomatic channels and legal procedures rather than informal or forceful methods.
A key element of the repatriation process, she noted, is verifying an individual’s nationality before any return takes place. “Citizenship verification is an essential step before repatriation can occur,” she said.
As an example of successful cooperation through established mechanisms, Shama Obaed referred to the recent return of 34 Bangladeshi nationals from Chennai. “They were repatriated legally by road after becoming stranded, demonstrating that the existing process works when both sides follow it,” she said.
The state minister also said that the BGB remains on high alert to prevent unauthorised entries and resist any attempts to push individuals across the border outside the agreed framework.
Her remarks come amid growing concern in Dhaka over recent push-in incidents, which officials and analysts say have emerged as a significant irritant in Bangladesh-India relations at a time when both countries are seeking to improve diplomatic engagement.
