Dhaka / New Delhi — June 5, 2026. Bangladesh has accused India of making multiple attempts to forcibly push people across the international border into its territory, and said its security forces foiled several such attempts in recent days. The claims revive a long-running dispute over alleged undocumented migration and come at a sensitive moment for ties between the two neighbours.
What Bangladesh says happened
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said it detected 10 attempted infringements by Indian authorities along several sections of the border over a 24-hour period, describing them as so-called "push-ins" — informal transfers of people into Bangladesh without going through verification and repatriation procedures.
In one incident in the southwestern district of Jhenaidah, BGB said personnel of India's Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly tried to move between 30 and 35 people towards Bangladeshi territory in a prison van after opening a border gate; BGB personnel intervened and compelled the vehicle to turn back. Dhaka has described such incidents as violations of bilateral border-management agreements and says it has raised the matter through diplomatic channels.
India's position
India's Border Security Force and Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to requests for comment on the latest allegations. In the past, Indian officials have described similar claims as "baseless" and maintained that all actions at the border follow standard operating procedures for dealing with illegal entrants. India has consistently said it faces a significant challenge from illegal immigration and has cited national-security and demographic concerns in border states such as Assam and West Bengal.
Bangladesh, for its part, has generally denied large-scale illegal migration and has at times accused Indian forces of forcing people — including alleged Indian nationals or stateless individuals — across the border.
Context: a long, sensitive frontier
The India–Bangladesh border stretches over 4,000 kilometres and has long been sensitive, with both sides accusing each other at various times of illegal crossings, smuggling and inadequate border control. The frequency of "push-in" claims has risen in recent months, even as the two countries have otherwise cooperated on trade, connectivity and security.
What's next: DG-level talks
The issue is expected to be taken up at director-general-level border talks between the BSF and BGB, scheduled in New Delhi from June 8 to 11, 2026. Both governments have previously used mechanisms such as flag meetings and higher-level talks to resolve such incidents, and analysts say keeping these channels open will be key to preventing escalation that could affect border fencing, joint patrolling and intelligence sharing.
The NRI perspective
For the Indian diaspora and NRIs with family or business ties in the region — particularly those connected to the eastern border states — stable India–Bangladesh relations matter. Any sustained deterioration could have indirect effects on cross-border trade, family visits and regional stability, so many in the diaspora are watching how both governments manage the situation diplomatically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a "push-in" at the India–Bangladesh border?
A "push-in" refers to an informal transfer of people across the border without going through the formal verification and repatriation process agreed between the two countries.
How many attempts did Bangladesh say it stopped?
Border Guard Bangladesh said it foiled 10 attempted infringements along several border sections over a 24-hour period, including an incident in Jhenaidah involving 30–35 people.
Has India responded to the allegations?
India's BSF and Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to requests for comment on the latest claims; India has previously called similar allegations baseless.
Where will the issue be discussed?
At director-general-level talks between the BSF and BGB scheduled in New Delhi from June 8 to 11, 2026.
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This report is based on statements from Bangladeshi authorities and media coverage; India had not issued an official response at the time of publishing. Details are accurate as of publication and may be updated.
