The escalating tension along the Indo-Bangladesh border emerged after Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that the Border Guard Bangladesh had been directed to remain vigilant to prevent any possible forced return of undocumented immigrants from the Indian side. The warning followed recent remarks by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, who stated that Dhaka would take “appropriate measures” if incidents of “push-ins” increased after the political shift in West Bengal.
The issue has intensified after the BJP secured a landslide victory in West Bengal and retained dominance in Assam, both states sharing long and sensitive borders with Bangladesh. Illegal immigration became one of the central issues during the election campaigns, with senior BJP leaders repeatedly alleging demographic changes in border districts due to infiltration from Bangladesh.
Responding to questions regarding Bangladesh’s remarks, India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday stressed that the “core issue” remained the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshi nationals residing in India. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the process required active cooperation from Dhaka.
“We have seen comments of this nature being made in the last several days. These comments must be seen in the context of the core issue of the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshis from India. This obviously requires cooperation from Bangladesh,” Jaiswal said during the ministry’s weekly press briefing.
He further stated that India expected Bangladesh to expedite nationality verification procedures to ensure the smooth repatriation of illegal immigrants.
Soon after the statement from New Delhi, Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Dhaka-based newspaper The Daily Star that the Border Guard Bangladesh had been instructed to remain alert along the borders. He said authorities had also issued fresh directives to deputy commissioners to maintain law and order in anticipation of any developments.
“We have instructed the Border Guard Bangladesh to stay alert along borders. Although we do not see such a possibility, we have taken precautions in advance so that we can address the situation if it arises,” Ahmed said.
The controversy surrounding “push-backs” and “push-ins” intensified after remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Bangladesh had earlier summoned the acting Indian High Commissioner following Sarma’s statements regarding the deportation of illegal immigrants.
In an interview, Sarma said the formal deportation mechanism was “frustratingly slow” and claimed that some undocumented Bangladeshis were “pushed back” during the night in areas where Border Guard Bangladesh personnel were absent.
“If I want to send them back officially, I will have to approach the Ministry of External Affairs. The Ministry of External Affairs will then send details to Bangladesh. It then depends solely on Bangladesh to decide whom they want to take back,” Sarma said.
Referring to observations made by the Supreme Court in February 2025, Sarma stated that district magistrates had the authority to issue eviction orders if they determined an individual was not an Indian citizen. However, he noted that the court order did not specify the method through which such expulsions should be implemented.
The BJP’s aggressive campaign on illegal immigration has significantly shaped the political atmosphere in eastern India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly raised concerns over alleged demographic changes in districts such as Malda and Murshidabad, accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress of compromising national security by permitting infiltrators to remain in the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also made infiltration a central issue during his campaign rallies across West Bengal. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari, widely viewed as a leading contender for the post of Chief Minister in West Bengal, declared that “Rohingyas and Bangladeshi Muslim intruders” should be removed from voter lists before being expelled from the country. He asserted that no illegal infiltrator would be allowed to remain in India.
The renewed diplomatic friction has emerged at a sensitive moment in India-Bangladesh relations, with both nations publicly hardening their positions on illegal immigration and border management. While India continues to push for the repatriation of undocumented immigrants, Bangladesh’s latest border alert reflects growing concern in Dhaka over possible unilateral actions along the frontier after the BJP’s decisive electoral victories in West Bengal and Assam.
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