On Tuesday, The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Lok Sabha that about 865 kilometres of the  India-Bangladesh border is unfenced. “A length of 864.482 km of the India-Bangladesh border is yet to be fenced, which includes a length of 174.514 km of non-feasible gap,” Nityanand Rai, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, made a statement in a written response.

Rai mentioned that the difficulties in finishing the fencing projects' feasible sections are due to land acquisition, objections from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), a limited working season, and challenges posed by landslides and marshy land.

“It has been conveyed to the Government of Bangladesh that with regard to security measures at the border, including for fencing, India observes all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB),” he replied.

“The Government of India’s expectation that all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh and there will be a cooperative approach to combating cross-border crimes has also been conveyed to the Government of Bangladesh.”

According to BSF officers familiar with the situation, the force has implemented advanced smart fencing. This includes the use of sensors, CCTV cameras, floodlights and the deployment of guards at border points where installing traditional fencing is not feasible due to the terrain. These measures are aimed at monitoring and preventing infiltration and smuggling.

Diplomatic ties and the situation at the border have progressively worsened since August 5, when former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India. On January 12, Bangladesh raised its “deep concern” with India’s envoy regarding what it described as “unauthorised” attempts by the BSF to build fences. The next day, India called in the deputy high commissioner to Delhi to emphasise the importance of adhering to past agreements on border management between the two countries.

Rai's response came several weeks after the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) opposed the previously agreed-upon fencing construction at multiple locations along the border. These issues are expected to be discussed during the director general-level meeting between the BSF and BGB in New Delhi later this month.