India-Bangladesh Defence Ties: COAS Meets LG Rehman On UNTCC 2025 Sidelines Amid Border Coordination Push
The talks come nearly two months after BSF chief’s Bangladesh visit, during which he had talked about illegal border crossings. Image courtesy: X.com/@adgpi
India and Bangladesh have shared longstanding bilateral ties on the defence and security front, which they continue to pursue. Peaceful and cooperative management mechanisms for the security of 4,096 km long international border are actively focused on border fencing, joint inspection of boundary pillars, joint boundary demarcation, including of riverine boundaries.
In line of keeping these actions active and alive, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi held a high-level discussion with Lieutenant General Md Mainur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army on the sidelines of the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) 2025 forum.
Both the army chiefs engaged in “constructive and productive” talks reaffirming their commitment to enhancing defence cooperation, military training and coordination in UN peacekeeping missions, the Indian Army posted on X.
How is India-Bangladesh defence cooperation evolving?
The interaction between the top military leaders signals a continued effort to expand strategic ties. Training exchanges, joint exercises, and peacekeeping collaboration remain central to bilateral engagements, positioning both forces as key contributors to global UN operations.
This comes nearly two months after BSF chief’s Bangladesh visit, during which he had talked about illegal border crossings. On his visit to Dhaka on August 28, 2025, Border Security Force Director General Daljit Singh Chowdhury addressed the issue of illegal foreigners in India, including Bangladeshi nationals.
He emphasised that “appropriate legal action” is being taken against those residing unlawfully and clarified that individuals entering without criminal intent are respectfully handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
How many Bangladeshi nationals have been repatriated?
Chowdhury revealed that around 550 Bangladeshi nationals found illegally entering India were handed over to BGB during the recent period. In situations where BGB could not verify identities, individuals were transferred to Indian agencies for deportation through established processes.
The BSF chief noted that more than 2,400 cases involving Bangladeshi nationals are pending verification with the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, some for over five years. Suggesting so, he has requested BGB to expedite clearances so that individuals can be reunited with their families.
Both sides follow a mutual mechanism to address instances of border violations by either country’s citizens.
What is the standing mechanism for deportations? Chowdhury reiterated that a longstanding system enables smooth handover or deportation of nationals. He said, “If we are contacted and it is found that the deported persons are Indian nationals, we will immediately accept them.”
