India, Bangladesh reiterate commitment to strengthen co-operation on border related issues

New Delhi, Nov 21 (ANI): Highlighting the fact that both India and Bangladesh attach the highest importance to their bilateral relations, both nations reiterated their commitment to further expand and strengthen mutual cooperation on security and border related issues.

Addressing a joint press conference at the end of the 12th India-Bangladesh Home Secretary-level talks here, Home Secretary R.K. Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Monzur Hossain appreciated the existing level of cooperation and action taken to address the menace of terrorism and extremism.

Both home secretaries also reaffirmed their commitment of not allowing the territory of either country to be used for any activity inimical to each other's interests.

Noting that continuous enhanced interaction at various for a, including at the highest level between the two countries, has proved beneficial in resolving the various long pending issues, it was agreed that the current level of engagement between the two countries need to be further consolidated for mutual benefit.

Both sides agreed to operationalise the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TSP), the Agreement on Combating Organized Crime and the Illegal Drug Trafficking which were signed during the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in January 2010, and to implement the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) signed during the visit of Home Minister P. Chidambaram to Bangladesh in July 2011. Similarly, both sides agreed that the extradition treaty, under consideration of both Governments, should be finalized by an early date.

Bangladesh sought assistance of India in tracking, apprehending and handing over of killers of the Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Indian side assured of extending all possible cooperation and sought additional information in this regard.

Both home secretaries reviewed the functioning of the nodal points for sharing of information on security related matters and expressed their satisfaction in this regard. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to take immediate action on the basis of real time and actionable information through nodal points of the two countries.

Both sides agreed to develop mechanisms to further hasten the process of verification of nationality status of prisoners lodged in jails of either country, particularly of those who have completed their sentence, to enable their early repatriation.

Both sides seriously took cognizance of the menace of human trafficking, particularly women and children along Indo-Bangladesh border. Both sides agreed that the two task forces under their respective ministries need to meet on a regular basis for better coordination in combating this social menace.

Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in the capacity building of police and other law enforcement agencies. The Bangladesh side welcomed the offer made by the Indian side for training of police personnel and capacity building of police forces.

Both sides agreed that the next Home Secretary level Talks would be held in Dhaka, the date of which would be decided through diplomatic channels. (ANI)