India, Bangladesh affirm action against terrorists, insurgents

New Delhi, Aug 31 (UNI) The ninth Home Secretary level talks between India and Bangladesh concluded in Dhaka today with both the sides condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their commitment not to allow their territory to be used for any activity inimical to each other's interests.

The two countries agreed to take action against militants, insurgent outfits and their leaders, on the basis of real time and actionable information to be exchanged between the nodal points.

The three-day talks, that began on August 29, were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, an official release here said.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Mr Mohammad Abdul Karim, Home Secretary, Government of Bangladesh while the Indian delegation was led by Mr Madhukar Gupta, Home Secretary, Government of India.

Both sides expressed their sincere desire to further expand, deepen and strengthen their bilateral cooperation. They discussed, among other issues, matters related to Security, Border Management and enhanced bilateral cooperation.

Bangladesh and India expressed satisfaction at the successful reactivation of the Joint Working Group at the level of Joint Secretaries of both the countries and designation of nodal points to deal with the issues relating to security and human trafficking.

Bangladesh mentioned about the recently introduced legal regime that has been established to deal with anti-terrorism, prevent terrorist financing and money laundering. As regards to criminals who have taken shelter in either country to evade the law, both the sides agreed to continue efforts to look for them out and send them back expeditiously.

Noting that smuggling of arms, ammunitions, explosives and fake currency notes were a serious threat to the peace and security of both the countries, the two sides agreed to find out the elements engaged in these illegal activities and bring them to justice.

Bangladesh sought India's cooperation to take preventive measures against enemical outfits based in India, while India also sought the neighbour's cooperation to trace the presence of Indian insurgent groups, allegedly based there.

Both sides agreed to ensure peace and tranquility along the border, keeping in mind relevant provisions of the Joint Border Management Guidelines of 1975. It was agreed by them to convene a meeting of the Joint Boards Working Group (JBWG) at an early date to discuss all outstanding boundary-related issues.

On the issue of construction of border fence within 150 yards of international border, Bangladesh stated that matter would be further examined, including joint visits to vulnerable sections of the border.

Both sides agreed that the verification process of released prisoners of one country held in the prisons of other country should be expedited and modalities in this regard would be worked out.

Apart from sharing information between the two nodal points and follow-up action, there was a strong need to identify the racketeers engaged in human trafficking, especially women and children and bring the perpetrators of such acts to justice, the two countries felt.

They agreed that cooperation between the Narcotics Control Departments of the two countries needs to be further enhanced. In this respect, it was decided that a meeting of two Narcotic Departments would be held next month in New Delhi.

On the issue of enhancing cooperation towards capacity building including training of law enforcement agencies of both the countries, the two countries expressed satisfaction at the existing level of cooperation. Moreover they resolved to deepen this further.

Both sides agreed that the next meeting will be held in New Delhi and date for the same will be decided through diplomatic channels.

UNI NAZ RSA RAI2015