Bangladesh tackles border security with Myanmar – holds Eighth Border Conference

By Savithri Rodrigo

Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_The crucial and much awaited 8^th Border Conference between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) is currently on with both sides pledging that the security of the border is a shared goal and a high priority.  Both countries have battled complex security threats over the past few years including human trafficking, international organised crime, drug trafficking and terrorism, all of which have exacerbated in complexities in recent times. 

Understanding that increased cooperation on a regional and global scale is an imperative to halt the flow of terrorist combatants, illicit drug, weapon and human trafficking, the delegations from both countries included the chiefs of police and germane ministry representatives.  A number of issues were subjects of discussion.  Response to the escalation of the tense situation at the border due to recent internal conflicts in Myanmar, combating inter-state terrorism, prevention of illegal infiltration and activities of cross-border criminal gangs, violation of airspace and the need for mutual cooperation on overall border security.

For this, the delegations agreed to information exchange, joint patrols, increasing mutual trust between the BGB and BGP and regular coordination or flag meetings at battalion level. There was also discussion on the repatriation of detained and imprisoned citizens of both countries and the return of forcibly placed Myanmar citizens to their homeland.

Bangladesh has strongly protested the massive gunfire and mortar shelling that erupts frequently between the Bangladeshi army and the Arakan Army, which is an insurgent group inside the Tumbru border in Myanmar, with the shelling invariably impacting the Bangladesh side. The violation into Bangladesh has been aggravated with mortar shells and helicopter flights violating Bangladeshi airspace. 

While the BGP pledged to ensure a peaceful milieu given the civil unrest in Myanmar spilling over onto the border, Bangladesh also reiterated that all parties must have a culture of open dialogue, mutual trust and confidence among the participating military and security personnel, forging stronger ties of collaboration. While sharing best practices, there was also a stronger understanding of the mutual challenges faced and the advantages each side had, which could be used positively in the face of transnational threats, fending global dangers while upholding human rights.