Choosing citizenship on India-Bangladesh border Published duration 15 July 2015

image copyright Getty Images image caption Enclave resident Musamat Lipi chose Bangladeshi citizenship

In May, India's parliament approved a key agreement with Bangladesh enabling the two countries to exchange control of areas of land on each other's territory.

Tens of thousands of Bangladeshis live in 51 enclaves in India, while Indians live in 111 areas within Bangladesh. The residents lack access to public services.

Under the new agreement, more than 50,000 villagers from both sides will be given the option to choose where they want to live and which nationality they would prefer.

People living in Indian enclaves inside Bangladesh are officially Indian citizens and those living in Bangladeshi areas inside India are Bangladeshis. The enclaves will cease to exist on 31 July.

Earlier this month officials of two countries began asking the residents of the enclaves which nationality they want to opt for after the exchange of enclaves.

Reports say the two sides will finalise the list by the end of July and arrange for the rehabilitation of the citizens in the country of their choice.

image copyright Getty Images image caption A total of 51,584 people in 162 enclaves will chose their nationalities by the end of July

image copyright Getty Images image caption A map of an Indian enclave in Bangladesh. These enclaves are a legacy of colonial times and have been a contentious issue between the two nations for decades

image copyright Getty Images image caption Anwarul Islam, an enclave resident, has chosen Bangladeshi citizenship

image copyright Getty Images image caption Bobita Rani, who lives in an enclave in Bangladesh, has chosen to move to India with her family

image copyright Getty Images image caption Shobita Rani and her family have chosen Indian nationality

image copyright Getty Images image caption The exchange of people will happen through the border between the two countries