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

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

Photo Credit:  @BSF_Tripura

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

Significance of Maitri Setu: India-Bangladesh friendship bridge

Photo Credit:  @BSF_Tripura

Maitri Setu, also kwn as Friendship Bridge, as per govt officials is a symbol of strong friendship between India and Bangladesh and plays a crucial role in facilitating trade and people-to-people contact between two India and Bangladesh. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's PM Sheikh Hasina in March 2021, Maitri Setu, with its length of 1.9 kilometres, was set to become operational by June 2023. It connects Sabroom in sourn Tripura, India, to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh, which is just 80 kilometres away. bridge holds immense strategic significance, as it makes Agartala nearest city to an international sea port in India. integrated check post (ICP) at Sabroom will furr facilitate trade between two countries, providing Tripura with opportunity to become "Gateway of Souast 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 security scenario along Indo-Bangladesh international border. During her visit, she received a comprehensive briefing from  M P Gupta, IPS, IG BSF Tripura Frontier, about area of responsibility of Tripura Frontier and operational preparedness, as per BSF officials.

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

High-level delegation visit to Maitri Setu

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