India on Thursday said Bangladesh’s remarks on alleged “pushback” incidents must be viewed in the context of the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and urged Bangladesh to expedite pending nationality verification cases.
“We expect that Bangladesh will expedite nationality verification so that the repatriation of illegal immigrants can take place in a smooth manner,” Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters while responding to a question.
At the weekly media briefing, he said they have seen comments of this nature being made in the last several days and these comments must be seen in the context of the core issue of the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshis from India.
“This obviously requires cooperation from Bangladesh,” Jaiswal said.
He mentioned that more than 2,860 cases of nationality verification were pending with Bangladesh, with some awaiting clearance for over five years.
The Indian side said the people or foreigners who are staying in India illegally, whether they happen to be Bangladeshi national or any other national, they will be dealt as per law.
Eatlier, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed expressed hope that people would not be pushed into Bangladesh after the BJP’s victory in assembly elections in bordering Indian states.
He, however, said the Border Guard Bangladesh had been asked to “remain alert” along the border.