Bangladesh does not engage in push-ins like India as it believes in diplomatic solutions, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Saturday.

“Bangladesh believes in a diplomatic solution to prevent the push-in problem through various borders by India. Bangladesh has always adhered to international laws and protocols. We have already written a letter to India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve this issue,” he said while talking to reporters after inaugurating the Border Outpost in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira to strengthen border security.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Chief Adviser's High Representative for the Rohingya Issue and Priority Affairs Dr Khalilur Rahman have maintained diplomatic contacts to resolve this issue, he added.

Mentioning that Bangladesh has requested India to return any illegal Bangladeshi nationals through official channels, the Home Adviser said, “If any Indian nationals are found staying illegally in Bangladesh, they will be repatriated through proper procedures. We have clearly told India not to carry out push-ins and instead use the proper diplomatic channels.”

Noting that, the push-in attempts escalated after India demolished a Bengali settlement in Gujarat, where some Rohingyas from Bangladesh had also taken shelter, the adviser said, “Among those being pushed in, some are card-holding Rohingyas registered with UNHCR, while others are Indian Rohingyas. A formal protest note has been sent to India regarding the matter.”

When asked whether Bangladesh intends to push back 370 people in response to India’s push-in of the same number, he said, “If they are our citizens, we have no right to push them back. We will not respond with push-backs. We will use legal channels for repatriation. Push-in or push-back is not a lawful method.”

Regarding the newly inaugurated facility, the adviser said the floating BOP operated by BGB is an operational platform that will bolster riverine patrols and surveillance in border areas.

“The floating BOP is not just an installation, but a strategic security measure reflecting BGB’s commitment to maintaining peace, stability and public safety in the border areas,” he said.

This initiative is expected to foster a new culture of border security and improve effective border management, he added.

He also noted that efforts are underway to form a specialised ‘Riverine Border Guard Battalion’ under BGB to enhance surveillance in water-bound border regions, especially in the Sundarbans, which will play a groundbreaking role in border management in the future.

The floating BOP will aid BGB in promptly responding to and preventing cross-border crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking, illegal activities and other threats, he added.

Of the 4,156-kilometre Bangladesh-India border, around 180 km is riverine, including approximately 79 km in the Sundarbans.

Two floating BOPs have already been established at Kachikata and Atharobeki. This is the third floating BOP.

Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mohammad Ziaul Haque and Director General (DG) of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui were present at the inauguration ceremony.

Later, the adviser visited the BGB’s Neeldumur Battalion in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira.