India on Friday, 29 May formally pressed Bangladesh to expedite the verification of more than 2,680 pending cases of alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing in India, signalling that prolonged delays in the nationality-confirmation process are holding up deportations under existing bilateral arrangements.

What India Said

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, speaking at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, made clear that deportation can only proceed once Dhaka confirms the nationality of individuals whose names have already been shared. 'All illegal nationals who are staying in India will be dealt with as per the law. In the case of Bangladesh, as I had informed you earlier, we have referred 2,680 cases or more than 2,680 cases to the Bangladeshi side for them to verify the nationality of those people that we have handed over the names of. Once this nationality verification is done, we will be in a position to deport these nationals of Bangladesh,' Jaiswal said.

He underscored the urgency of the matter, noting that a significant portion of these verifications have been in limbo for over five years. 'It is our expectation that we will receive an early response from Bangladesh on this particular issue so that the bilateral arrangement that we have between both countries, based on that, these people who are staying here can be sent back to or deported back to Bangladesh,' he added.

Background and Bilateral Context

The MEA had earlier this month also called on Bangladeshi authorities to accelerate the nationality verification process to enable smooth repatriation. The issue has persisted across multiple diplomatic cycles, with India consistently flagging the backlog through official channels. The two countries maintain a bilateral framework for repatriation, but its practical operation depends on timely responses from both sides — a mechanism that has visibly stalled on the Bangladeshi end, according to Indian officials.

Modi-Rahman Exchange on Eid

The diplomatic pressure on the immigration front came alongside a warmer exchange at the leadership level. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed Eid-ul-Adha greetings to Bangladeshi counterpart Tarique Rahman and the people of Bangladesh, reaffirming New Delhi's willingness to deepen bilateral cooperation across sectors. Modi noted that the two countries share a 'deep-rooted partnership based on shared sacrifices, cultural similarities, and mutual goals of peace, stability and growth.' He added: 'The Indian government looks forward to working closely with the Bangladesh government to strengthen people-centric cooperation in various domains.'

Rahman reciprocated the goodwill, with the Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office posting on its social media platforms: 'I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his very kind greetings to me and the people of Bangladesh on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. May the relations between the peoples of Bangladesh and India continue to be strengthened on the foundations of mutual respect, friendship, and goodwill.'

What Happens Next

The deportation clock effectively starts only after Dhaka completes nationality verification — a step India says it cannot bypass under the bilateral arrangement. With verifications reportedly pending for more than five years in many cases, New Delhi's public nudge signals growing impatience. How Bangladesh responds will test the practical depth of the bilateral cooperation both leaders have publicly championed.