Border killings strain Bangladesh-India relations: Foreign Adviser

Border-related killings remain a significant hurdle in improving Bangladesh-India relations, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain stated Monday.

"Strengthening ties between Bangladesh and India requires deepening people-to-people connections. However, incidents of border killings create public discontent, which we aim to avoid," Hossain remarked while addressing reporters at the foreign ministry.

His comments came in response to a border killing that occurred earlier in the day. "We are currently awaiting confirmation from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Once verified, we will file a strong protest with the Indian government," Hossain said, condemning the killings as "unacceptable."

He pointed out that such incidents also took place during the so-called "golden chapter" of Bangladesh-India relations under the previous Awami League government and have persisted since then.

Hossain emphasized that while Dhaka seeks to maintain good relations with New Delhi, those ties must be based on mutual respect and fairness. "We do not desire one-sided relations," he added.

The foreign ministry had previously lodged a formal protest with the Indian government following the death of 13-year-old Shwarna Das from Moulvibazar's Juri upazila, who was reportedly shot by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on September 1.