West Bengal shares a significant and multifaceted border with Bangladesh, with historical, cultural, and strategic importance.

• Total Length: The international border between West Bengal and Bangladesh stretches for 2,216.7 km, making it the longest international border of any Indian state.
• Indo-Bangladesh Border: This border is part of the broader 4,096.7 km Indo-Bangladesh border, which is the fifth-longest international border in the world. The border plays a crucial role in India’s relations with Bangladesh, influencing trade, migration, and diplomacy.

• Geographical Span: The border traverses multiple districts in West Bengal, including:
  • Darjeeling
  • Jalpaiguri
  • Cooch Behar
  • Alipurduar
  • North and South Dinajpur
  • Malda
  • Murshidabad
  • Nadia
  • North and South 24 Parganas
• Terrain: The terrain along the border is varied, including:
  • Rivers: Numerous rivers, such as the Padma, Teesta, and Mahananda, form natural boundaries and play a key role in the region’s ecology and economy.
  • Plains: Expansive plains in areas like Cooch Behar and South Dinajpur.
  • Forests: Dense forests along the border regions, particularly in Darjeeling and Alipurduar, add to the complexity of managing the border.
• Partition of Bengal (1947): The border is deeply tied to the Partition of Bengal in 1947, which divided the historically and culturally unified region of Bengal into two parts:
  • West Bengal (India) and East Bengal, which later became Bangladesh.
  • The people on both sides of the border share strong cultural, linguistic, and historical ties.
  • Bengali is the predominant language spoken on both sides of the border, contributing to a shared cultural identity. This commonality in language and culture often leads to deep connections between people from both nations.
  • People on both sides celebrate Durga Puja, Pohela Boishakh, and other Bengali festivals with zeal, further solidifying the cultural bond across the border.

• Economic and Trade Relations: The border is vital for trade and economic exchange between India and Bangladesh. One of the key crossing points is the Petrapole-Benapole border, which is the largest land port between the two countries.
  • This facilitates the movement of goods, including textiles, machinery, and agricultural products, benefiting both nations economically.
• Border Management Challenges: The border’s diverse terrain makes it challenging to manage and monitor. The presence of rivers and forests makes it difficult to maintain full control over certain areas, especially in the more remote districts.
  • The border region is sensitive due to issues like illegal migration, smuggling, and cross-border crime. These challenges have prompted increased border security and vigilance, with both India and Bangladesh collaborating on border management.
  • Border disputes and delineation issues have also been a concern historically, though efforts have been made to resolve these through diplomatic negotiations.

• The Petrapole-Benapole crossing is the busiest and most prominent land border crossing between India and Bangladesh.
• It plays a crucial role in facilitating trade, with goods trucks and passenger movement passing through this point.
• Other Border Crossing Points: There are several other points along the border used for cross-border trade, commerce, and travel, which are essential for bilateral relations.

West Bengal’s border with Bangladesh is a mix of geographical, cultural, and strategic importance. The historical legacy of partition, combined with shared linguistic and cultural ties, has shaped the identity of the region. At the same time, the border’s strategic importance for trade, along with the challenges of managing a long and diverse boundary, continues to impact relations between India and Bangladesh. The region remains crucial for the economic prosperity of both nations, while also requiring careful management to address sensitive issues such as migration and security.