NEW DELHI/DHAKA, June 7, 2026 — A tense standoff between India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at multiple points along the India-Bangladesh border has highlighted growing friction over the handling of undocumented migrants, as both countries exchanged claims over attempted “push-backs” and deportations.
The confrontation unfolded at four locations along the West Bengal-Bangladesh border and involved around 40 people who had reportedly been stranded in so-called “zero line” areas after Bangladeshi border authorities refused to accept them without formal nationality verification.
By Saturday morning, however, the individuals had disappeared from the disputed border points, bringing an end to an overnight standoff that had raised concerns about a potential escalation between the two border forces.
The most serious confrontation occurred near Pillar No. 134 at Panishala in Mekhliganj, Cooch Behar, where approximately 10 people remained stranded after BGB declined to receive them. According to Indian media reports, BSF maintained that the individuals were Bangladeshi nationals who had been living illegally in India, while BGB insisted that any repatriation must take place through established diplomatic and legal procedures rather than through what it described as unilateral “push-back” attempts.
The dispute comes amid an intensified campaign by Indian authorities to identify and deport undocumented foreign nationals. The issue has gained renewed political significance following the election of a BJP government in West Bengal, which has pledged to pursue a policy of identifying, removing and deporting illegal immigrants.
While Indian authorities describe the process as lawful deportation of undocumented foreign nationals, Bangladesh has repeatedly expressed concern over reports of individuals being transported to border areas and pressured to cross into Bangladeshi territory without prior verification of nationality.
BGB Claims Eight Push-Back Attempts Foiled
Even as the immediate standoff ended, BGB on Saturday accused BSF of attempting to push groups of people into Bangladesh through several border points.
In a statement issued through BGB Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam, the force said it had prevented eight separate push-back attempts within a 24-hour period through heightened vigilance and intensified patrols.
According to the statement, three individuals were intercepted near the Jadabpur border area adjacent to North 24 Parganas and Nadia, 17 people were stopped at the Karmudanga border in South Dinajpur, 21 were prevented from entering through the Barkhata and Payashottibari areas near Assam’s Dhubri district, and seven others were blocked near the Dighaltari border in Cooch Behar.
“Eight separate attempts were foiled as a result of heightened alertness, intensified patrols and immediate preventive measures,” the BGB statement said.
The border force reiterated that any return of individuals claiming Bangladeshi nationality must take place through formal verification and agreed bilateral mechanisms.
India Presses Bangladesh on Nationality Verification
The border incidents occurred a day after India publicly urged Bangladesh to accelerate nationality verification procedures for thousands of suspected undocumented migrants.
Speaking at the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had requested Bangladesh to verify the nationality of more than 2,860 individuals believed to be Bangladeshi citizens residing in India without legal authorization.
“We have requested Bangladesh to verify the nationality of over 2,860 people whom we think are Bangladeshi nationals, and they are staying here in India,” Jaiswal told reporters. “We are yet to get a response on this matter.”
He added that India was acting in accordance with domestic law and existing bilateral arrangements.
“All foreign nationals in India, if they are here illegally, including from Bangladesh, we have laws to deal with them and they will be dealt with accordingly,” Jaiswal said during the briefing.
Addressing concerns about deportations, he emphasized that a formal bilateral mechanism already exists.
“As far as deportation of these people is concerned, there is a bilateral mechanism in place. We refer these cases to the Bangladeshi side for verification of nationality and, once verified, we take forward the deportation process,” he said.
Jaiswal further noted that numerous verification requests remain pending with Bangladeshi authorities and expressed hope that the process would be expedited.
Dhaka Insists on Formal Repatriation Process
Bangladesh has consistently maintained that it is prepared to receive its citizens once nationality is properly established through official channels. However, Dhaka has objected to what it describes as “push-in” attempts that bypass established procedures.
Officials in Dhaka argue that nationality cannot be determined solely on the basis of language, appearance, or verbal claims made at the border. Instead, each case must undergo verification through diplomatic and administrative channels.
The issue has been discussed repeatedly in bilateral meetings over recent years, including consultations between home secretaries, foreign ministry officials and border security agencies.
In early May, Indian officials raised the issue again with Bangladesh and sought faster verification of suspected undocumented migrants. The request came shortly after the West Bengal election, where illegal immigration featured prominently in political campaigning.
Humanitarian Concerns Emerge
The latest incidents have also raised humanitarian concerns because women and children were reportedly among those stranded in border areas for extended periods.
A video circulating on social media during one of the standoffs appeared to show a woman identifying herself as a resident of Khulna and expressing a desire to return home. The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified, but it became part of the competing narratives advanced by both sides.
Human rights advocates have long argued that undocumented migration cases require careful handling because individuals can become trapped between jurisdictions when nationality remains disputed.
A Sensitive Bilateral Challenge
Migration and border management remain among the most sensitive issues in India-Bangladesh relations.
The two countries share a border stretching more than 4,000 kilometers, making it one of the longest international land borders in the world. Over the years, both governments have established mechanisms such as the Coordinated Border Management Plan to address illegal crossings, smuggling, trafficking and other cross-border challenges.
Officials from both countries say these mechanisms are intended to reduce misunderstandings, improve coordination and ensure that border-related disputes are resolved through communication rather than confrontation.
Despite the latest tensions, neither side has indicated a desire for escalation. However, the dispute underscores the growing diplomatic challenge posed by undocumented migration as India increases deportation efforts while Bangladesh insists that any repatriation must follow formal legal and diplomatic procedures.
The issue is expected to feature prominently in upcoming meetings between senior BSF and BGB officials, where both sides will seek to prevent similar confrontations and establish clearer procedures for handling disputed nationality cases along the border.
