Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will flag the issues of killing, abduction or detention of innocent Bangladeshi citizens at the border at a biannual conference with India's Border Security Force (BSF) that starts today in New Delhi.

Besides, illegal entry to Bangladesh and smuggling of firearms, explosives and drugs into the country will also be given priority, said BGB officials.

BSF is expected to take up the issues of preventing attacks on its personnel, joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes, action against Indian insurgent groups and issues related to border infrastructure, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

A 14-member delegation led by BGB Director General Maj Gen Shafeenul Islam and a 20-member BSF team led by its Director General KK Sharma will participate in the six-day summit at the BSF headquarters, said a BGB press release.

Expansion of crime-free zones in border areas, effective implementation of a comprehensive border management plan, coordinated patrolling, identifying vulnerable areas at the border, organising combined “milon mela” at agreed places and visit of medical professionals, among other issues, will be discussed at the summit.

The two sides will also sign a “joint record of discussions” on September 7.

As per a decision taken by the home secretaries of India and Bangladesh at a meeting in Dhaka in October 1993, the two sides agreed that the director general-level meetings between BGB and BSF are going to be a biannual event.

Accordingly, the director generals have been holding border coordination meetings in New Delhi and Dhaka.

The DGs are also expected to call on Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh.