BSF remains key stakeholder in Bangladesh-India ties, Jaishankar says

India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has said their Border Security Force (BSF) will have an increasingly important role in facilitating the seamless movement of people and goods between India and Bangladesh while countering security threats.

The minister also said BSF played a critical role in the liberation of Bangladesh and continues to be a key stakeholder in the India-Bangladesh friendship.

Addressing an event organised by BSF on Thursday to commemorate 50 years of Bangladesh’s victory against Pakistan, Jaishankar also recounted how BSF trained Mukti Bahini in guerrilla warfare and its acts of heroism on the eastern and western fronts, ranging from the battle of Sylhet to Longewala.

Jaishankar pointed out that the two countries share a growing trade partnership and said, “Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in South Asia and fourth-largest export destination globally. India is Bangladesh’s second-largest trade partner. Despite Covid-19, bilateral trade has now touched $10 billion.”

“BSF continues to play a crucial role in India’s robust engagement with Bangladesh. Maintaining a peaceful border, preventing trans-border crimes and other illegal activities are important for stability and prosperity in bordering areas and beyond,” he said.

Thursday’s event also saw Bangladesh war veteran Lt Col Qazi Sajjad Ali Zahir, who was then part of the Pakistan Army but fled to India to join the war, recount his experiences.