India seeks cooperation in security matters from Bangladesh

Dhaka, July 10 (UNI) India today sought greater cooperation from Bangladesh in security matters as New Delhi found some connectivity of some terrorists groups between here and India causing certain security breaches.

''We will be seeking greater cooperation so both the countries can fight effectively against terrorists,'' Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty told reporters after a meeting with Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

Pinak's remarks came ahead of Bangladesh and India Foreign Office Consultations at the level of the Foreign secretaries to be held in Delhi on July 17.

Foreign secretary Touhid Hossain will lead the Bangladesh delegation in the two-day talks.

"Asked if the terrorists groups could be identified, the High Commissioner said ' Of course we have fairly good idea. Even we've telephone numbers.'' The envoy would not name the groups as he said ''This is confidential matter. We want more cooperation. It is not good to have bomb blasts despite ongoing cooperation. So, we need prevention of such acts through exchange of information between the two security forces.'' In reply to a question, Pinak said New Delhi is prepared to cooperate as much as Bangladesh required in terms of exchange of information and technical know-how. He said there are already some exchanges of information but it can be made faster.

Asked if he sought repatriation of ULFA leader Anup Chetia detained in Bangladesh, the High Commissioner said India has unilaterally repatriated some wanted Bangladeshis hiding in Kolkata.

''We also want to get back some people from Bangladesh,'' he said, adding that apart from Anup Chetia some others names are also on the list that was given to the Bangladesh government. He hoped that Bangladesh authorities would catch them and hand over them to India.

Asked whether the issue of transit would come up at the Foreign Office Consultations, Pinak said India has been discussing the matter at all forums as 'we are interested in transit. We believe it is purely an economic issue, not political issue at all. "But here it is made political issue tough I don't sea any reason for that." He however dismissed the idea that India has set anytime frame to get the transit from Bangladesh.

Asked about the issues to be tabled at the Foreign secretary level talks, he said there are some economic issues, water management through construction of embankments and dredging in border rivers, demarcation of maritime boundary so there is no overlapping of the interest of the two countries.

Pinak said India wants opening of more border stations if possible to expedite the cross-border trade which is increasing. Besides, we like to see more frequency of bus and train services by sorting out some existing problems.

About the Indian plans to reconstruct some housing in Sidr affected areas, the High Commissioner said it is at the final stage and the company has been selected. He said the construction works will start as soon as the fund is sanctioned by the Indian government.

On export of rice to Bangladesh under the previously signed deal between the two countries, Pinak admitted that the rice is coming to Bangladesh but a slow pace because of procurement problems and rules and regulations in some of the Indian states.

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