India has physically fenced nearly 80 per cent of its international border with Bangladesh as part of efforts to strengthen security and prevent infiltration, according to data placed in the Indian parliament.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said fencing has been completed along 3,239.92 kilometres of the 4,096.70-kilometre India-Bangladesh border, covering 79.08 per cent of its total length.
The remaining 856.78 kilometres, or 20.92 per cent, of the border is yet to be fenced.
The information was shared by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in response to a query from two Trinamool Congress lawmakers regarding unfenced portions of India’s international borders.
The India-Bangladesh border is India’s longest land boundary with any neighbouring country and runs through West Bengal and the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
The border has long been sensitive due to concerns over illegal crossings, smuggling and security challenges.
The MHA said border fencing remains a key component of India’s strategy to curb infiltration and enhance national security.
Alongside Bangladesh, the ministry also provided data on other borders, noting that over 93 per cent of the India-Pakistan border has been fenced, while limited progress has been made along the India-Myanmar border.
India shares land borders with seven countries, including Bangladesh, and maintains that strengthening border infrastructure is a continuing priority.