Dhaka to send diplomatic note to Delhi over 'illegal push-ins'

DHAKA: Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain Tuesday accused India of declaring "people" foreigners and "pushing" them into his country without following the process of deportation. Dhaka will send a diplomatic note to New Delhi on the issue, he said.

The deportation of illegal Bangladeshis by India started following a nationwide verification drive after the April 22 Pahalgam attack and picked up pace since Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7.

Under the deportation process , each case is being reviewed individually and only verified citizens will be repatriated, but "India is resorting to cross-border push ins", Hossain said. "We will send a new, substantive letter," he stated, adding. "We see that push-ins are still happening. But it is not something we can physically stop."

India has provided Bangladesh with a list of individuals it claims are Bangladeshi nationals. Dhaka has accepted some of them following verification, Hossain said. He stressed that there is a formal mechanism in place for addressing consular issues and that Bangladesh is working to ensure all actions adhere to procedures. Bangladesh remains in regular communication with India, he said.

About deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's pending extradition, Hossain said that there has been no new response from parties concerned. While a second letter hasn't yet been sent, he indicated it may be issued if necessary.