Border Security Force, BSF, has invited its Bangladeshi counterpart, Border Guard of Bangladesh, BGB, to patrol the border from Indian territory.
Simultaneously, a decision has been taken to exercise the use of non-lethal forces to mitigate civilian and security forces' casualties.
The offer was said to have been made during the director general-level talks held in Dhaka in November, reports the Press Trust of India.
“The challenge is tough and we are committed to maintaining sanctity of this border and hence we have gone the extra mile in suggesting such a step,” BSF Director General Subhash Joshi said.
“Let them see facts on the ground. We have nothing to hide. The illegal crossings and activities that occur dead in the night are a challenge for us.”
He said that the use of non-lethal weapons was a tough decision in face of attack from smugglers. “But we are committed to reducing casualties on the Bangla border and hence more such weapons are being sent there.”
However, the BSF DG was firm on protecting his troopers as he said of increased patrol strength, more deployment and use of regular weapons in addition to non-lethal ones.
The two forces were said to have agreed to increase on-ground coordination between field commanders.