Bangladesh has reportedly placed its border forces on alert following the BJP’s sweeping victories in West Bengal and Assam, amid growing concerns in Dhaka over possible intensified deportation drives against illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators residing in India.
The development comes as the Government of India reiterated that the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants remains a “core issue,” while Bangladeshi authorities expressed fears of possible “push-ins” across the border.
Dhaka orders border vigilance
Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) had been instructed to remain vigilant along the Indo-Bangladesh border following the BJP’s electoral victories in West Bengal and Assam.
According to reports, Dhaka fears that the BJP’s rise in the two border states could result in a more aggressive approach towards deportation and border enforcement.
“We have instructed the BGB 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 reportedly said.
Fresh directives were also issued to district authorities in Bangladesh to maintain law and order in border regions.
What Bangladesh means by ‘Push-ins’
The tension escalated after Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman warned that Dhaka would take “appropriate measures” if incidents of “push-ins” increased after the political change in West Bengal.
The term “push-in” is used in Bangladesh to describe instances where illegal infiltrators allegedly residing in India are informally sent back across the border without a formal repatriation process.
Reports in recent months suggested that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were rounded up in several Indian states and sent back through border areas in Assam and Tripura, both BJP-ruled states before the recent Assembly elections. With West Bengal now also under BJP rule, Dhaka reportedly fears similar operations could expand further.
India calls repatriation a ‘Core issue’
The Ministry of External Affairs responded firmly to Bangladesh’s remarks, stating that the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants remains a central concern for India.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India expects Bangladesh to expedite the nationality verification process to ensure smooth repatriation procedures.
“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 a weekly press briefing.
He further added that India expects Dhaka to speed up the verification process so that identified illegal immigrants can be repatriated lawfully and efficiently.
BJP’s election campaign focused on infiltration
Illegal immigration emerged as a major political issue during the Assembly elections in both West Bengal and Assam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly raised concerns over demographic changes in border districts such as Malda and Murshidabad, alleging that infiltration from Bangladesh had altered the social and political landscape of these regions.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also made infiltration a central issue during election rallies in West Bengal.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari repeatedly demanded stricter action against illegal immigrants and alleged demographic changes caused by infiltration in border districts.
Adhikari had earlier stated that “Rohingyas and Bangladeshi Muslim intruders” should be removed from voter lists and expelled from the country.
Supreme Court directive and ‘Push-back’ debate
The issue gained further momentum after the Supreme Court of India, in February 2025, directed the Assam government to expedite deportation proceedings involving individuals declared foreigners.
In previous remarks, Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that while some deportations happened through official channels, others involved “push-backs” carried out in areas where Bangladeshi border personnel were absent.
According to Sarma, although around 1,400 Bangladeshis were officially deported, the actual number of those sent back could be much higher.
These developments reportedly heightened concerns within Bangladesh following the BJP’s landslide victories in Assam and West Bengal.
Border tensions likely to remain sensitive
The India-Bangladesh border remains one of the most politically sensitive frontiers in South Asia, particularly in states such as Assam and West Bengal where infiltration has long been a contentious issue.
With the BJP now in power in both states and continuing to emphasise infiltration and repatriation, diplomatic and border-related tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka are likely to remain under close watch in the coming months.
