Bangladesh, India to work towards zero deaths at border

Bangladesh and India have agreed to work towards ensuring zero deaths at the border, according to a joint statement.

The two nations also expressed satisfaction that the number of incidents at the border has gone down significantly, according to a joint statement released today (September 7, 2022) after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held comprehensive talks with her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on the second day of her four-day state visit to India.

Noting that peaceful management of the India-Bangladesh border is a shared priority, the two leaders directed officials to expedite all pending developmental work within 150 yards of the Zero Line, including fencing from the Tripura sector to maintain a crime-free border, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Both sides also appreciated the efforts of the two border forces against the smuggling of arms, narcotics and fake currency and prevention of trafficking.

Both leaders reiterated their strong commitment to eliminating terrorism in all forms and decided to further strengthen their cooperation to prevent the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation in the region and beyond.

The Indian side informed that it has offered free transit via its territory to Bangladesh for exporting its products to third countries through specified Land Customs stations/airports/seaports.

In this regard, the Indian side invited the Bangladeshi business community to use its port infrastructure for transhipment to third countries.

India has also been providing free transit to Bangladesh for exporting its products to Nepal and Bhutan.

The Indian side reiterated its request for at least one major land port without port restrictions or a negative list of restrictions, on the border with the North Eastern States of India, for easier market access, starting with ICP Agartala-Akhaura.

The Bangladesh side welcomed India's reopening of facilities at most road and rail immigration check posts and requested restoration of immigration facilities to pre-Covid-19 state at all land ports/ICPs to facilitate movement, as soon as possible.