Bangladesh will engage in talks with India to address unfair agreements signed during the previous Awami League regime, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said.

He made the remarks while speaking to the media on the upcoming Director General (DG)-level border conference between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the ministry’s conference room on Wednesday.

“Permission is required from both sides to erect any structure within 150 yards of the border. There are no provisions allowing unilateral actions, and approval from both countries is necessary to build a mosque or temple. This will be prioritised to ensure that India seeks permission before carrying out any activities,” he stated.

Jahangir Alam said that key issues, including the prevention of border killings by the BSF or Indian miscreants, firing on unarmed Bangladeshi citizens, and injuries along the border, will be raised at the conference.

Other topics for discussion include trespassing by BSF personnel or Indian citizens, smuggling of illegal drugs, arms, ammunition and explosives, including Yaba and Phensedyl, into Bangladesh, the adviser added.

Besides, the talks will cover equitable water sharing of transboundary rivers, withdrawal of water, implementation of the water agreement, and the reopening of the Rahimpur canal mouth.

He also said that drugs are frequently produced along the border areas in India and pushed into Bangladesh.