India is taking extra security measures on its border with Bangladesh in response to a statement by an adviser to the new interim government of Bangladesh about the possible annexation of part of Indian territory. The incident that happened on December 16 caused serious tension in the relations between the two countries. About this informs gazeta The Daily Telegraph.
Mahfuz Alam, an adviser to Bangladesh’s new leader, posted a map on Facebook showing three Indian states — West Bengal, Tripura and Assam — that he said “have a historical affiliation with Bangladesh.” A significant number of Bengali-speaking Muslims live in these regions. In his post, Alam accused India of “ghettoizing” and “colonizing” these territories.
The statement was deleted two hours after publication, but it had already caused a diplomatic scandal. The Indian government reacted strongly to these words, calling them irresponsible and likely to escalate tensions.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the Bangladesh representative’s remarks demonstrated the need for greater accountability in public statements. In addition, India has significantly strengthened its border security. The Border Security Force (BSF) has installed new floating posts on the rivers that cross the border between the two countries. These outposts allow round-the-clock patrolling of border areas.
“We constantly monitor the territory. The new floating outposts will significantly increase our ability to respond to possible threats.” – said a source in the BSF in a comment to News18.
One of India’s main fears is the possibility of Bangladesh being used as a base for terrorist groups to advance through river routes. Similar routes were previously used to ferry militants from Pakistan before Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. There are also fears that the new government of Bangladesh may support separatist movements, threatening the stability of the region.
The change of power in Bangladesh and the removal of Prime Minister Sheikha Hasina, who was known for her pro-Indian views, have already caused a deterioration in relations between the countries. The new caretaker government is taking a more radical stance, which is causing serious concern in India.
India calls on the international community to take note and continue to strengthen its border infrastructure to avoid any provocative actions by the neighboring state.
