The repatriation of Bangladeshi citizens who are illegally staying in India is a “core issue” in the Delhi-Dhaka relationship, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday (May 7, 2026).

Responding to comments from Bangladesh’s new government about possible “push-ins” from the Indian side, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal sought Dhaka’s cooperation on expediting the repatriation of at least 2,862 identified illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

“These comments must be seen in the context of the core issue of repatriation of illegal Bangladeshis from India. This requires cooperation from Bangladesh. Over 2,862 cases of nationality verification are pending with Bangladesh, some for over five years,” Mr. Jaiswal said.

India expects Bangladesh to “expedite nationality verification” of these identified individuals so that “repatriation of illegal immigrants can take place in a smooth manner,” he said. “Our policy is that all illegal foreign nationals staying in India must be repatriated as per our laws, procedure and established bilateral arrangements,” Mr. Jaiswal added.

‘Push-in’ via unguarded land border

The Indian response came days after Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said Dhaka would take “appropriate measures” if attempts are made to “push-in” individuals from India across the India-Bangladesh land boundary.

The matter had gained attention in Dhaka after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had referred, in an interview, to his government’s policy on “pushing-in” Bangladeshi migrants through the unguarded land boundary without going through the procedures laid down by the MEA.

Bangladesh’s foreign office had summoned India’s envoy in Dhaka to protest Mr. Sarma’s remarks. The matter has gained more significance after the BJP won the Assembly election in West Bengal where its leader Suvendu Adhikari had made similar comments.

Centre-State policy differences

After Bangladesh elected a BNP government in February 2026, New Delhi has been trying to put its ties with Dhaka back on track after months of instability during the interim government. The remarks made by Mr. Adhikari and Mr. Sarma were generally viewed by officials as contrary to India’s current official policy towards Bangladesh.

However, Mr. Jaiswal did not address a question from The Hindu on Thursday (May 7, 2026) on whether the MEA had a held any discussion with Mr. Sarma on this Centre-State policy disjuncture, instead reiterating that there is a “core issue” of illegal immigration from Bangladesh to India.

Border guards on alert

Earlier on Tuesday (May 5, 2026), the Bangladesh Foreign Minister had referred to Mr. Sarma’s remarks and said, “When the Chief Minister of Assam said similar things and admitted he had taken certain actions, you saw that we strongly protested. We will take whatever measures are necessary on that issue.”

This was further taken up on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed who said that Bangladesh has put its border guards on alert to prevent “push-in” attempts by the Indian side in West Bengal.