New Delhi: Even as tensions remained high, Bangladesh on February 5 turned down India's offer for joint verification of 213 Bangladeshi nationals stranded on 'zero line' on the border with West Bengal.

Dismissing Bangladesh's claim that these persons were Indians sought to be pushed into that country, the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said an offer was made for joint verification of each one of them. "Unfortunately, this was not agreed to by the Bangladesh Rifles".

"There is no question of pushing Indian citizens into Bangladesh," he said.

"We have given the names and details of these people and suggested that Bangladesh should take them back as soon as possible on the agreed modalities," he said.

He said the stranded Bangladeshis have conveyed that they have ration cards in their village in Purbari, which could be verified. Some were offering electric bills paid to Palli Vidyut Samiti-l as proof of their residence and others gave addresses of moneylenders in Purbari from whom they had borrowed money.

The issue figured at the Consultative Committee of MPs attached to the External Affairs Ministry with members voicing concern over the continuing tensions. External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said efforts were underway to resolve the issue at the earliest through diplomatic means in a friendly and cooperative manner.

PTI