DESPITE deep ties between Bangladesh and India in the geopolitical landscape of South Asia, India’s approach to border management has often been aggressive, escalating tensions with its neighbours. Recently, a complex diplomatic conflict has emerged over ‘push-in’ incidents along the India-Bangladesh border, where Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) have been forcing people into Bangladeshi territory. This practice of pushing so-called undocumented Bangladeshis — and even Rohingyas and Indian nationals labelled as Bangladeshis — across the border reflects an aggressive aspect of India’s hegemonic stance. Is this merely a border security issue, or has it become a strategic political tool? The political motives behind India’s ‘push-in’ strategy, along with its diplomatic and humanitarian implications and the resulting challenges for Bangladesh, deserve scrutiny.
What is push-in and why is it concerning?
‘PUSH-IN’ refers to the forced repatriation of individuals into a country without following any legal or judicial process. What India perceives as a pushback is, from Bangladesh’s perspective, a push-in. According to international human rights and migration laws, this practice is controversial and considered unlawful. In the first half of May 2025 alone, around 300 individuals were reportedly pushed into Bangladesh by India — many of whom had been residing in Indian states like Gujarat and Rajasthan for years. Among them were Rohingyas and even Indian nationals. On the early morning of May 9, Indian authorities allegedly pushed 75 Bangladeshi Muslims and 3 Indian Muslims into Mandarbaria Char in the Sundarbans. This occurred amid heightened tensions following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, suggesting a deliberate act. India has employed this strategy previously along the borders of West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. Recently, Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), stated that the BSF is systematically pushing Rohingya refugees and some Bangladeshi citizens into Bangladesh. Though India denies these allegations, the incidents are becoming increasingly alarming.
India’s strategic intent
INDIA’S push-in operations appear to be a calculated political and strategic pressure tactic. In the context of implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the issue of ‘illegal Bangladeshi immigrants’ continues to be politically weaponised. The CAA of 2019 offers citizenship to persecuted minorities from three Muslim-majority countries — Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan — who entered India before December 31, 2014. This law carries an implicit assumption that minorities in these countries are systematically oppressed, which undermines India’s secular character. The BJP government uses such tools to stoke nationalist sentiments. Through this push-in strategy, India may be subtly pressuring Bangladesh to ‘take back’ alleged undocumented Bangladeshis. However, under international law, no state can be forced to accept individuals against its will. Yet India continues to exert such pressure through indirect means.
BJP’s nationalist narrative and Bangladesh’s position
THE BJP and its Hindutva-aligned groups frequently raise the alarm over alleged illegal Muslim infiltration from Bangladesh, using it as a political device. The term ‘Bangladeshi infiltrator’ is portrayed as a serious social and cultural threat. Through this narrative, the government presents itself as taking a strong stance, where ‘patriotism’ is equated with strict border control and zero tolerance for infiltration. Consequently, the push-in policy becomes a tool for shaping public opinion. So far, Bangladesh has maintained a cautious and restrained stance. Each time such incidents occur, formal protests are lodged through the BGB and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, India typically denies any direct involvement and attempts to deflect blame. For Bangladesh, this is not just a humanitarian concern — it is also a diplomatic and national security challenge. Bangladesh is already burdened by international pressure and financial costs due to the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis. India’s push-in strategy only adds to the strain, triggering security threats in border areas and growing resentment among local communities.
Violation of international law
ACCORDING to the UN Refugee Convention, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international migration policies, it is illegal to return refugees or asylum seekers without proper legal process forcibly. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol prohibit such actions under the principle of non-refoulement. Push-backs typically deny individuals the opportunity to apply for asylum, violating their right to due process as guaranteed under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Article 14 of the UDHR specifically states that everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum in another country. Moreover, under the Convention Against Torture, no individual may be returned to a country where they risk torture. The forced repatriation of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh further undermines India’s human rights record in the eyes of the international community. Rohingyas who fled Myanmar are not Bangladeshi citizens; if India wishes to return them, it should do so to Myanmar, not impose the burden on Bangladesh.
Consequences and possible solutions
IF THIS situation continues, it could seriously damage Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. Prolonged tensions may escalate border conflicts and undermine regional cooperation on migration management, weakening South Asia’s image in global forums. What should be done? Both countries must pursue resolution through bilateral dialogue. Establishing a joint forum on migration and refugee issues could lead to a shared framework. Bangladesh could also raise the matter at the United Nations, especially regarding the forced relocation of Rohingya refugees. Domestically, Bangladesh must ensure strong border surveillance and accurate verification of identities through agencies like the BGB and the national ID/passport authority. Moreover, India should be held accountable to uphold international standards. A bilateral agreement is needed that focuses on shared humanitarian values and the rights of border communities, treating migration not as a political weapon but as a human issue.
Finally, India’s push-in operations are not merely border control measures; they represent a strategic manoeuvre in South Asia’s evolving geopolitical game. These actions serve as tools for nationalist politics on one hand, while simultaneously violating human rights and diplomatic norms on the other. This not only affects the physical border but also erodes the foundation of trust between the two countries. For Bangladesh, this is a strategic challenge requiring visionary foreign policy, internal cohesion, and global support. A shared approach rooted in humanity, not political expediency, must guide future border policies between the two nations.
Dr Mohammad Asaduzzaman is a professor of linguistics at the University of Dhaka and director general of International Mother Language Institute.
