Question : Exchange of Enclaves

(a) whether a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between India and Bangladesh on the issue of exchange of enclaves between the countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of agreement for transfer of land, population etc. between both the countries;
(d) the extent to which issue of infiltration from Bangladesh into the country is likely to be checked;
(e) whether Indian map along Bangladesh border will be changed after implementation of said agreement; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the time by which map will be finalised?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) Yes, an “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Concerning the Demarcation of the Land Boundary between India and Bangladesh and Related Matters” was signed at New Delhi on May 16, 1974. The Protocol to the Agreement was signed at Dhaka on September 6, 2011. Instruments of Ratification of the Agreement were exchanged on June 6, 2015.

(c) The implementation of the Agreement will result in a fixed demarcated boundary in all the un-demarcated segments of the India-Bangladesh border. It will also result in the exchange of 111 Indian enclaves (with a total area of 17,160.63 acres) in Bangladesh with 51 Bangladesh enclaves (with an area of 7,110.02 acres) in India and preservation of the status quo on territories in adverse possession. Moreover, with the adjustment of adverse possessions in the implementation of the Protocol, India will receive 2777.038 acres of land and transfer 2267.682 acres of land to Bangladesh. The Agreement provides enclave residents with the right of staying on where they are, or moving to the mainland of Bangladesh or India, as the case may be.

(d) The implementation of the 2011 Protocol to the Agreement is expected to result in better management and coordination of the border and strengthening of our ability to deal with illegal activities and trans-border crimes along the India-Bangladesh border.

(e) & (f) Yes, the external boundaries of India will change with the implementation of this Agreement. The changes are specified in the Constitution (One Hundredth Amendment) Bill, 2015 that was considered and passed by Rajya Sabha on 6th May and 11th May, 2015 and by Lok Sabha on 7th May, 2015. On this basis, work on finalization of maps is underway.

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