Migration – India Urges Faster Verification of Suspected Bangladeshi Migrants

Migration –  India has intensified diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh over delays in confirming the nationality of individuals suspected of residing illegally in the country. The Indian government stated that thousands of verification requests sent to Dhaka remain unresolved, slowing the process of repatriation under existing bilateral understandings.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that more than 2,862 nationality verification cases linked to suspected Bangladeshi nationals were still awaiting clearance from Bangladeshi authorities. According to officials, some of these requests have been pending for over five years, creating difficulties in carrying out the return process in a timely manner.

Concerns Raised Over Pending Cases

Speaking on the matter, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said cooperation from Bangladesh remained crucial for resolving the issue. He noted that India had repeatedly approached Dhaka for nationality confirmation in multiple cases, but progress had been limited.

Jaiswal explained that verification by Bangladeshi authorities was an essential requirement before any individual could be repatriated. Without official confirmation of citizenship, the process could not move forward under bilateral mechanisms already in place between the two neighboring countries.

Indian officials also stressed that the matter should not be viewed in isolation, as unresolved cases continue to accumulate over time. Authorities believe quicker responses from Bangladesh would help both sides manage migration-related concerns more effectively.

Bangladesh Reacts to Border Concerns

The Indian statement came shortly after remarks made by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman earlier this week. Rahman had warned that Bangladesh would respond if individuals were allegedly pushed across the border without following established procedures.

His comments drew attention amid ongoing discussions surrounding migration and border management between the two countries. Dhaka has maintained that any transfer of individuals across the frontier should take place only after proper documentation and verification are completed.

India, however, reiterated that the core challenge remained the delay in nationality confirmation requests. According to the External Affairs Ministry, resolving these pending cases would help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that repatriation efforts are conducted through agreed diplomatic channels.

Political Sensitivity Around Migration Issue

The issue has gained renewed attention following recent political developments in eastern India, particularly in the states of West Bengal and Assam, where illegal migration from Bangladesh has long remained a politically sensitive topic.

Border management, demographic concerns, and citizenship verification frequently emerge during election campaigns in these regions. Political parties across the spectrum have often raised concerns about undocumented migration and its impact on local resources and security.

The latest diplomatic exchange is therefore being closely watched by political observers as well as regional administrators dealing with border-related issues. Analysts believe both countries may continue discussions through diplomatic channels to prevent tensions from escalating.

Bilateral Cooperation Seen as Key

India and Bangladesh share extensive land and river borders, making cooperation on migration, trade, and security matters important for maintaining regional stability. Officials from both countries have previously worked together on border coordination and repatriation procedures.

Indian authorities emphasized that nationality verification is a standard administrative process and not an exceptional demand. They maintained that faster responses would help ensure lawful and organized handling of pending migration cases.

While no immediate breakthrough was announced, diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Dhaka is expected to continue in the coming weeks as both sides seek to address concerns linked to illegal migration and border management.