Coordination meeting between BSF and BGB Nodal officers at Maitri Bridge, Tripura

On the Maitri Bridge in Sabroom, Tripura, a coordination meeting between the nodal officers of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was successfully held on August 5, 2023. "This meeting was organised to discuss the issues of concern mainly that of ensuring domination and security along the Indo-Bangladesh border, particularly in the inhospitable terrain on the eastern border (on the Bangladesh side)," the BSF informed through the official release.

Photo Credit:  @BSF_Tripura

The Indian delegation, led by Saroj Kumar Singh, Deputy Inspector General and Nodal Officer of BSF Tripura, engaged in constructive discussions with their counterparts, headed by S M Shafiqur Rahman, Director of the BGB South East Region, among others. The delegates discussed various modalities to enhance coordination and strengthen border domination along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Both sides emphasised the importance of joint efforts in addressing security challenges, fostering better cooperation, mutual trust, and understanding between the two border guarding forces.

The Significance of Maitri Setu: India-Bangladesh friendship bridge

Photo Credit:  @BSF_Tripura

The Maitri Setu, also known as the Friendship Bridge, as per govt officials is a symbol of the strong friendship between India and Bangladesh and plays a crucial role in facilitating trade and people-to-people contact between the two India and Bangladesh. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's PM Sheikh Hasina in March 2021, the Maitri Setu, with its length of 1.9 kilometres, was set to become operational by June 2023. It connects Sabroom in southern Tripura, India, to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh, which is just 80 kilometres away. The bridge holds immense strategic significance, as it makes Agartala the nearest city to an international sea port in India. The integrated check post (ICP) at Sabroom will further facilitate trade between the two countries, providing Tripura with the opportunity to become the "Gateway of Southeast Asia" and open up access to Chittagong Port, a vital trading hub.

ADG BSF's visit to Agartala 

On July 25, 2023, Sonali Mishra, IPS, Additional Director General of BSF (Eastern Command) Kolkata, visited Agartala on a three-day tour to review the security scenario along the Indo-Bangladesh international border. During her visit, she received a comprehensive briefing from  M P Gupta, IPS, IG BSF Tripura Frontier, about the area of responsibility of the Tripura Frontier and the operational preparedness, as per BSF officials.

As part of her visit, Mishra also toured the Border Outposts (BOPs) along the Indo-Bangladesh border to assess the security situation and review border domination and operational readiness.

High-level delegation visit to Maitri Setu

A high-level delegation, led by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Delhi, Mustafizur Rahman, visited the Maitri Setu On April 13, 2023. The delegation also included Bangladesh's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ariful Rahmam, and Minister of Commerce, AKM Atiqul Haque, along with other officials. From India, Chairman of the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI), Aditya Mishra, and Director (Technical) LPAI Lt. Col. Geetsab, were present.During their visit, the representatives from both countries reviewed the progress of the bridge and the Integrated Check Post (ICP) construction site. They expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work and agreed to submit recommendations to their respective foreign ministries regarding the smooth daily travel of 200 to 300 people through passports.