State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed stated today that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively pursuing diplomatic channels to resolve the ongoing border "push-in" issue with India.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Saltha Press Club in Faridpur on Friday evening, the State Minister confirmed that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remains on high alert along the frontier to thwart illegal entry attempts from the Indian side.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already sent 12 to 13 formal letters to Delhi, urging the Indian government to stop these push-in attempts," Obaed revealed.
Addressing the cross-border tensions, the State Minister emphasized that international law and state diplomacy dictate clear, structured guidelines for repatriating illegal immigrants. She implicitly criticized arbitrary border expulsions, stating that civilized nations must refrain from forcing individuals across borders under the cover of darkness.
"There are clear international protocols for returning illegal citizens. We expect the Indian government to respect and adhere to these policies," she said.
She added that Bangladesh remains committed to international norms, noting that if any illegal Indian nationals are identified within Bangladesh, they will be repatriated strictly according to established diplomatic rules and legal frameworks, rather than through unilateral border push-ins.
The remarks were made during an official visit to Saltha Upazila, where the State Minister also inaugurated a newly constructed marketplace road built at an estimated cost of Tk 1.5 crore.
The press club inauguration ceremony was chaired by Saltha Upazila Press Club President Nurul Islam Nahid. Notable attendees included Saltha Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Dabir Uddin, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Mamun Sarkar, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Nagarkanda Circle Muhammad Al Fahad, alongside local political leaders.
