Dhaka, Delhi to strengthen joint fight against terrorism

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India and Bangladesh yesterday strongly condemned terrorism and extremism and Dhaka agreed to expedite its approval of a draft extradition treaty in criminal matters and the bilateral agreement on combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking.

A joint statement issued at the end of two-day home secretary level talks between the two countries underlined the need to strengthen existing bilateral arrangements by instituting new institutional mechanisms for enhanced cooperation and regular exchange of information to combat terrorism.

Both sides also agreed to revive the mechanism of the Joint Working Group (JWG) at the level of joint secretaries in the ministries of home affairs and decided that the meetings could be held at regular intervals alternately in India and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh agreed to expedite their inter-ministerial consultations on the drafts of extradition treaty, mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters, the statement said.

India favoured finalisation of the draft extradition treaty before the forthcoming Saarc home ministers’ conference in October this year, it added.

The draft of the extradition treaty was handed over by India to Bangladesh last year.

Briefing reporters jointly after signing the minutes of the talks, Indian Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and his Bangladesh counterpart Mohd Abdul Karim said both sides also decided to step up riverine patrolling and counter drug peddling, besides dealing with matters related to trafficking in women and children.

Gupta and Karim described the discussions as “very, very positive and constructive” and said the talks were held in an atmosphere of “utmost friendship and cordiality”.

Gupta said Karim has brought a “clear message” from Bangladesh government that it would like to move in a spirit of mutual “trust and understanding”.

During the meeting, both sides approached all issues on the basis of mutual understanding and appreciation of each other’s position and sensitivities on the basis of reciprocity and mutual confidence.

Noting that terrorism is a common threat, both sides reiterated that the use of the territory of either country would not be allowed for terrorist and criminal activities against the other country and that sustained cooperation and information sharing would benefit both the countries.

Both sides agreed on the necessity for exchange of actionable information between security agencies of the two countries, in addition to existing mechanisms of information sharing between the BSF and BDR, said the statement.

The modalities of designation of nodal points would be decided separately by mutual consultations.

The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and the Bangladeshi team was headed by his counterpart.

Both sides agreed to initiate swift action on information received about groups and elements and other fugitives from the law of either country taking shelter in the other country, the statement said.

India assured all possible assistance to the request made by Bangladesh in tracing criminals wanted for criminal activities in that country and are reportedly taking shelter in Indian territory.

The Indian side repeated its request to Bangladesh to take deterrent action against Indian insurgent groups and their members.

The Indian delegation wanted expeditious action on red corner notice subjects through enhanced interaction between the Interpol designated points. The Bangladesh delegation noted the request.

India wanted an early and positive response on its long-pending request to permit construction of fence within 150 yards of the border with Bangladesh to fill the gaps in about 250 places, which would help in effective border management and checking movement of criminal elements and illegal migrants.

In this context, India appreciated Bangladesh’s response after a meeting between directors general of BSF and BDR in February-March this year in permitting small development work posed by BSF within 150 yards of the border.

The Bangladesh home secretary apprised the Indian delegation about his country’s position in this regard and said this issue is being examined.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the joint visit to a few enclaves and territories under adverse possession on May 29-30 this year.

The two sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the joint boundary working groups at an early date.

On the issue of riverbank protection works, both sides recognised the humanitarian dimensions of this and some other rivers-related issues and agreed to address them at the forthcoming meeting of the water resources secretaries of the two countries here on August 7-8.

Regarding early commencement of a passenger train service between Dhaka and Kolkata, India pressed for an early response to its request for building a protective structure to sanitise the rail line between zero point and Gede railway station on Indian side.

Bangladesh conveyed the Indian request was under consideration and they would get back with a response soon.

On the issue of incidents of border firing and death of unarmed civilians during such firings, both sides expressed satisfaction at the improved situation along the border in recent months and agreed to take appropriate steps to further improve the situation.

India noted with appreciation the clearance given by Bangladesh to its pending request to take a floating Border Outpost to Dhubri (Assam) through Bangladesh.

The talks ended on a note of satisfaction and commitment on both sides to carry the process of further widening and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries forward in a significant and meaningful manner, the joint statement said.

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