Parliamentary Panel Flags Illegal Migration from Bangladesh, Seeks Joint Verification Mechanism

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, has described illegal migration from Bangladesh as a continuing matter of serious concern and recommended the creation of a dedicated bilateral mechanism to accelerate nationality verification and repatriation of undocumented migrants.

The committee, in a report tabled in Parliament, said 2,369 suspected Bangladeshi nationals are currently awaiting nationality verification by the Bangladesh government. It observed that while the detection, identification and deportation of illegal migrants fall under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) plays a crucial role in facilitating verification and repatriation through diplomatic channels.

The panel proposed establishing a joint working group between India and Bangladesh to regularly monitor pending cases, streamline coordination and reduce delays. It also stressed that Indian nationals must not be mistakenly deported, urging authorities to maintain strict verification procedures alongside effective border security measures.

Emphasising a balanced approach, the committee called for humane treatment and adherence to constitutional safeguards and international obligations while dealing with detained individuals.

Beyond migration, the panel expressed concern over the alleged dumping of Chinese goods through Bangladesh under preferential trade provisions of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA). It warned that such practices could distort competition, hurt Indian manufacturers and undermine the integrity of bilateral trade arrangements. The committee recommended stricter rules-of-origin verification and stronger diplomatic engagement on the issue.

The report also highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy in restoring trust between the two neighbours amid recent developments in Bangladesh. It recommended annual Tagore-Nazrul literary festivals, joint film retrospectives, youth exchanges and cross-border cultural initiatives involving Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and West Bengal.

Additionally, the committee urged the gradual normalisation of visa operations when conditions permit and proposed a bilateral consular mechanism to address travel-related concerns. It noted that 3,231 km of the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border has been fenced, while 864 km remains unfenced due to difficult terrain and riverine stretches.