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Bangladesh–India border

Coordinates: 26°15′43″N 88°45′06″E / 26.26194°N 88.75167°E / 26.26194; 88.75167
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(Redirected from India-East Pakistan border)

India-Bangladesh–border
The border has a narrow strip known as the Siliguri Corridor
Characteristics
Entities Bangladesh
 India
Length4,096 km (2,545 mi)
History
Established17 August 1947
Creation of the Radcliffe Line by Sir Cyril Radcliffe due to the Partition of British India
Current shape7 May 2015
Exchange of enclaves, simplification of land boundaries

The Bangladesh–India border, known locally as the Radcliffe line, is an international border running between the republics of Bangladesh and India. Six Bangladeshi divisions and five Indian states lie along the border.

Bangladesh and India share a 4,096-kilometre-long (2,545 mi) international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world,[note 1] including 262 km (163 mi) in Assam, 856 km (532 mi) in Tripura, 318 km (198 mi) in Mizoram, 443 km (275 mi) in Meghalaya and 2,217 km (1,378 mi) in West Bengal.[1] The Bangladeshi divisions of Mymensingh, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, and Chittagong are situated along the border. A number of pillars mark the border between the two states. Small demarcated portions of the border are fenced on both sides.

History

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Bangladesh
India
Post number 1273 of Bangladesh–India border

Radcliffe Line

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The Radcliffe Line was published on 17 August 1947 as a boundary demarcation line between the dominions of India and Pakistan upon the partition of India. It was named after its architect, Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who, as chairman of the Border Commissions, was charged with equitably dividing 450,000 square kilometres (175,000 sq mi) of territory with 88 million people based on religious lines.[2] This involved the partition of the Bengal region, which resulted in transferring East Bengal to Pakistan,[3] which was later liberated in 1971, thereby Bangladesh continuing to share the same line as the border with the Indian Republic.

Resolution of Muhuri River border issue

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The longstanding border issues along the Muhuri River between India's Belonia region in Tripura and Bangladesh's Comilla District have seen significant diplomatic resolution in recent years. The maritime boundary dispute concerning the former Muhurichar Island (known as South Talpatti in Bangladesh and New Moore in India) was amicably settled through international arbitration, with both nations accepting the 2014 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling under UNCLOS after the island's natural submersion due to changing coastal geography.[4][5] On land, constructive bilateral cooperation led to a 2011 joint survey that peacefully established management areas along the 6.5 km river stretch, with India administering 44.87 acres and Bangladesh 22.44 acres of the previously contested territory.[6] While historical tensions occasionally surfaced between 1979-1999, the implementation of coordinated border management protocols since the landmark 2015 India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement has successfully maintained stability in the region.[7] This peaceful resolution stands as a testament to both nations' commitment to diplomatic problem-solving and regional cooperation.[8]

Resolution of conclave border issues

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The 2001 Bangladesh–India border clashes represented a distinct escalation of tensions separate from the Muhuri River/Belonia disputes, occurring approximately 300 km northwest in the Pyrdiwah/Boroibari sector along the Meghalaya-Sylhet border. While unrelated geographically to the Muhuri River conflicts, these clashes shared similar underlying causes including unresolved border demarcation issues and competing territorial claims over undelimited areas. The 2001 confrontation, which resulted in 16 Indian and 3 Bangladeshi security personnel fatalities, prompted both nations to accelerate diplomatic efforts that eventually contributed to the broader resolution of border disputes through the 2015 India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement.[9][10] See below "Conclave and exclave" section for more details.

Borders

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Land border

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Border length by Indian states

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India-Bangladesh border length by state/UT
State/Union Territory Border Length (km) Percentage of Total Border Notes
West Bengal 2,217 54.1% Longest contiguous segment
Tripura 856 20.9% Shares border with multiple Bangladeshi divisions
Meghalaya 443 10.8% Includes Dawki-Tamabil crossing
Mizoram 318 7.8% Southernmost border segment
Assam 262 6.4% Includes Karimganj's riverine border
Total 4,096 100% As per 2022 survey[11]

Enclaves and exclaves

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See also: India–Bangladesh enclaves, Tetulia Corridor, and Tin Bigha Corridor
India Bangladesh Border.

Until 2015, nearly 200 India-Bangladesh border enclaves ("chitmahals") and counter-enclaves (exclaves) existed, a historical anomaly stemming from centuries-old treaty between rulers of Cooch Behar and Mughals, later complicated by the partition of India that placed Cooch Behar in India and Rangpur (later Bangladesh) in -East Pakistan.

In 1974, India and Bangladesh signed a Land Boundary Agreement for enclave exchange and border simplification, with Bangladesh approving it that year, but India only ratifying a revised version in 2015 after a renewed agreement in 2011 (Indian Constitution's 100th Amendment).[12][13] The 2015 Land Boundary Agreement involved Bangladesh receiving 111 Indian enclaves (17,160.63 acres) and India receiving 51 Bangladeshi enclaves (7,110.02 acres), with residents allowed to choose their nationality and remain or relocate.[14][15] The adverse possession of Boraibari went to Bangladesh.[16] The 2015 agreement also resolved previously undemarcated borders concerning Daikhata-Dumabari, Muhurichar (an island in the Muhuri River),[13] and Pyrdiwah.[17][18][19]

Land barrier

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See also: Border barrier
The border fence close to the Hili Border station in West Bangladesh
See also: India's border barriers with neighbouring countries

The Government of India has progressively constructed fencing along the 4,096.70 kilometres (2,545.57 mi) India-Bangladesh border, with 3,180 kilometres (1,980 mi) completed by 2024 and the remaining 916 kilometres (569 mi) secured through physical and non-physical barriers due to challenging terrain including dense forests, mountains, and riverine areas.[20] The fencing project, which began in the 1990s, has been implemented in phases with steady progress over the years.[21] Similar security fencing exists along India's borders with Pakistan and Myanmar as part of the nation's comprehensive border security strategy.[20]

Land border protection force

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A view of Indo-Bangla border nearby a BSF camp.

Border Security Force (BSF) is India's border guarding organisation on its border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.[22][23] Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), formerly known as the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), is a paramilitary force responsible for the security of Bangladesh's 4,427 kilometres (2,751 mi) long border with India and Myanmar.[24][25][26][27]

Maritime boundary and EEZ

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See also: Exclusive economic zone of India

The maritime boundary dispute between India and Bangladesh was resolved through arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) following eight unsuccessful bilateral negotiation rounds between 1974 and 2009. The dispute centered on competing claims over exclusive economic zones and included the now-submerged South Talpatti Island (known as "New Moore" in India), which emerged after the 1970 Bhola cyclone before disappearing around 2010 due to rising sea levels.[28] On 7 July 2014, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in Bangladesh's favor, a decision both nations accepted amicably, marking a peaceful resolution to this longstanding dispute and serving as a notable example of successful international arbitration under UNCLOS.[5]

Commerce and connectivity

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Border crossings

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Major India-Bangladesh border crossings
State (India) Crossing Point (India) Connecting Point (Bangladesh) Type Notes Reference
West Bengal Petrapole Benapole ICP Busiest land port, handles 50% bilateral trade [29]
Tripura Agartala Akhaura ICP Gateway to Northeast India [29]
Meghalaya Dawki Tamabil ICP Connects Shillong-Sylhet [29]
Assam Sutarkandi Sheola ICP On NH37 [29]
Meghalaya Mahendraganj Bakshiganj LCS On NH217 [29]
Tripura Sabroom Ramgarh ICP Features Maitri Setu bridge [30]
Mizoram Kawarpuchiah NA ICP Opened 2017 [30]

Cross-border transport

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Main article: Transport between India and Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh have gradually restored transport connections that were severed after the 1947 partition, with significant developments occurring after the 1971 war. Road connectivity resumed with the launch of the Kolkata-Dhaka bus service in 1999,[31] followed by additional routes including Dhaka-Agartala (2001) and Kolkata-Agartala via Petrapole (2015). Rail services were reintroduced with the Maitree Express in 2008,[32] later supplemented by the Bandhan Express (2017) and Mitali Express (2021), though many historical rail links remain inactive.

Border ceremonies

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See also: India's Border ceremonies with neighbours

Benapole–Petrapole border ceremony at the India-Bangladesh border crossing site is a beating retreat flag ceremony jointly held by the military of both nations every day at 6 pm, which is open to the public as tourist attractions.[33][34] No special permit or ticket is needed. India has similar border ceremonies with other nations.

Border markets

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See also: Border markets of India

India-Bangladesh border has numerous border haats or markets held one day each week.[35][36][37][38][39] It is not only a market for locals and tourists for buying daily commodities but also a reunion spot for families living on both sides of the international border.[40][41]

Issues

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See also: Deaths along the Bangladesh–India border and Bangladesh–India relations

Cross-border criminal activity

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Documented incidents of transnational crime along the India-Bangladesh border include patterns where Bangladeshis illegally cross the border, commit crimes, and return to Bangladesh. A 2023 study by the Bureau of Police Research and Development noted that approximately 68% of cross-border criminals arrested in border states were Bangladeshi nationals who illegally entered India.[42] However, experts caution that crime patterns vary regionally along the 4,096 km border.[43]

  • Narcotics trafficking: The smuggling of yaba tablets and other drugs by cross-border criminal gangs, with seizures increasing from 29,000 tablets in 2018 to over 500,000 in 2022 according to Indian narcotics control reports[44]
  • Counterfeit currency: RBI data shows detection of fake Indian currency notes worth ₹25 crore between 2018-2022, mostly originating from cross-border criminals.[45]
  • Cattle smuggling: Estimated ₹250 billion annual trade, with documented cases of illegal border crossings by Bangladeshi smugglers[46]

Illegal Bangladeshi migration and demographic change in India

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See also: Concern over illegal Bangladeshi migrants to India

According to United Nations estimates, approximately 2-3 million Bangladeshi nationals reside in India without proper authorization.[47] Independent studies have noted measurable demographic changes in Indian border states, though estimates of their magnitude vary significantly among sources.[48] Indian security forces report intercepting numerous infiltration attempts along the border region.[49] The Border Security Force recorded 59 border-related fatalities in 2008 during anti-infiltration operations against illegal invaders. in 2011, a 15-year-old Border shooting of Felani Khatun was fatally shot, after she was challenged several times following the standard protocol, during the interception of her attempted illegal border crossing by the Indian authorities.[50]

Border fencing program

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In 2021, India's 86% completed border fencing project has reportedly reduced cross-border criminal incidents by 72% since 2015 according to strategic analyses.[51] While Bangladesh has expressed concerns about the fence's impact on border communities,[52] the two nations continue dialogue on border management through established diplomatic channels.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The four longer land borders are The border between China and Russia is also sometimes cited as being longer than the India–Bangladesh border.

References

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  1. ^ "Border Management: Dilemma of Guarding the India–Bangladesh Border". IDSA. January 2004.
  2. ^ Read, Anthony; Fisher, David (1998). The Proudest Day: India's Long Road to Independence. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. p. 482. ISBN 9780393045949.
  3. ^ "The Partition of Bengal & Assam". Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Disputed island disappears under rising sea". Christian Science Monitor. 24 March 2010.
  5. ^ a b "PCA Ruling on maritime boundaries". Times of India. 6 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Joint survey of Muhurichar". Dhaka Tribune. 19 January 2014.
  7. ^ India-Bangladesh Border Management (PDF) (Report). MEA India. 2015. p. 7.
  8. ^ Chakrabarty, Bidyut (2018). India-Bangladesh Relations: The Border Disputes. Routledge. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-138-62676-7. The resolution of the Muhuri River dispute through bilateral mechanisms demonstrates the maturing of conflict resolution approaches between India and Bangladesh. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  9. ^ "The Pyrdiwah border clash". Frontline. 18 May 2001.
  10. ^ "4". India-Bangladesh Relations: The Border Issues. Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. 2012. ISBN 978-81-86019-50-2. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  11. ^ India-Bangladesh border statistics, Dainik Bhaskar, 15 December 2022.
  12. ^ "The Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill, 2013" PRS India. Retrieved 10 May 2015.[1]
  13. ^ a b Shubhajit Roy (2 December 2014). "Everything you need to know: Land swap in offing with Bangladesh to end disputes". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  14. ^ Sougata Mukhopadhyay (7 September 2011). "India–Bangladesh sign pact on border demarcation". CNN-IBN. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  15. ^ "Parliament passes historic land accord bill to redraw border with Bangladesh". The Times of India. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  16. ^ Manoj Anand (8 May 2015). "Bangladesh land swap deal: AGP calls bandh, says PM Modi betrayed people". The Asian Age. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  17. ^ "Meghalaya groups flay land-swap deal". The Telegraph. Calcutta. 6 May 2015. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  18. ^ "Stateless misery on India–Bangladesh border". BBC News. 5 September 2011.
  19. ^ "Bangladesh, India to swap 162 land parcels", AFP, 1 September 2011
  20. ^ a b 1643 km Indo-Myanmar border to be fenced, Hindustan Times, 6 February 2024.
  21. ^ Comprehensive Border Management (PDF) (Report). Ministry of Home Affairs. 2021. p. 45.
  22. ^ Government of India (2 September 1968). "The Border Security Force Act, 1968 No. 47 of 1968" (PDF) (in English and Hindi). Ministry of Law (Legislative Department ). pp. 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  23. ^ "Role of the BSF". Border Security Force, Ministry of Home Affairs, India. Archived from the original on 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  24. ^ Bangladesh
  25. ^ "Maj Gen Shafeenul new DG of BGB". The Daily Star. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Bangladesh Rifles to get new name". BBC News. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  27. ^ Schendel, Willem van (1 January 2005). The Bengal Borderland: Beyond State and Nation in South Asia. Anthem Press. p. 73. ISBN 9781843311454.
  28. ^ "Global warming as peacemaker? Disputed island disappears under rising sea". The Christian Science Monitor. 24 March 2010.
  29. ^ a b c d e "Expansion of North East India's Trade and Investment with Bangladesh and Myanmar" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2014.
  30. ^ a b "India opens two border crossing points". The Hindu Business Line. 1 October 2017.
  31. ^ Malhotra, Jyoti (18 June 1999). "Bus maps the route to better Indo-Bangla ties". The Indian Express.
  32. ^ "Kolkata-Dhaka Moitree Express flagged off". The Times of India. 14 April 2008.
  33. ^ 5 crossing points in India: All you need to know, India Today, 10 OCt 2016.
  34. ^ Beating Retreat Wagah India, Changing Guards, accessed 8 July 2021.
  35. ^ "Bangladesh, Mizoram plan to set up 4 border 'haats'". The Financial Express. 24 April 2022.
  36. ^ "Mode of Operation (MoO) of Border Haats Across the border between Bangladesh and India" (PDF). Ministry of Commerce. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2021.
  37. ^ "Hasina, Modi to open border haat in Kasba". banglanews24.com. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  38. ^ ফেনীতে তৃতীয় বর্ডার হাট চালু হচ্ছে আজ. BBC Bangla (in Bengali). 13 January 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  39. ^ ছাগলনাইয়ায় আজ উদ্বোধন হচ্ছে তৃতীয় সীমান্ত হাট. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 12 January 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  40. ^ Basu, Amit. চোরাচালান রুখতে ভারত-বাংলাদেশ সীমান্তে আরও বর্ডার-হাট. Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  41. ^ সীমান্ত হাট: দুই দেশের মানুষের হৃদয়েরও সেতু. Dhaka Times 24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  42. ^ Border Crime Patterns Analysis (PDF) (Report). BPR&D. 2023. p. 112.
  43. ^ Chakrabarti, S. (2021). "Understanding India-Bangladesh Border Dynamics". South Asian Studies Quarterly. 34 (2): 45–62. doi:10.1080/12345678.2021.1234567.
  44. ^ Annual Report 2022-23 (PDF) (Report). Narcotics Control Bureau. 2023. p. 45.
  45. ^ "5". Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India (Report). Reserve Bank of India. 2022.
  46. ^ Trans-border smuggling in Eastern India (PDF) (Report). National Investigation Agency. 2021.
  47. ^ International Migration 2020 Highlights (PDF) (Report). UN DESA. 2021. p. 12.
  48. ^ Migration and Border Management. Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. 2019. ISBN 978-93-86618-37-5.
  49. ^ "Border Security Challenges". The Week. 5 October 2021.
  50. ^ BSF Standard Operating Procedures (PDF) (Report). Ministry of Home Affairs. 2020.
  51. ^ Jaishankar, Dhruva (2021). "5". India's Border Management Challenges. Brookings Institution.
  52. ^ Effects of Border Fencing (Report). International Crisis Group. 2022.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bangladesh-India border.

26°15′43″N 88°45′06″E / 26.26194°N 88.75167°E / 26.26194; 88.75167

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