India, Bangladesh resolve to jointly combat terrorism

New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) India and Bangladesh today agreed to jointly combat terrorism and correct trade imbalance and signed two agreements for expanding economic cooperation and preventing illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs/psychotropic substances.

Terrorism has been the main issue of concern between the two countries. While India claims that Bangladesh is providing shelter to Northeast insurgents, Dhaka categorically denies.

The agreements were signed here this evening after two-hour talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Bangladesh counterpart Begum Khaleda Zia who arrived yesterday on a three-day official visit.

The two leaders later led their respective countries at the delegation-level talks.

Briefing reporters after the talks, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said the two countries agreed to address the issue of trade imbalance with ''flexibility and pragmatism'' and strengthen the already-existing mechanisms on combating terrorism and tackling water-related issues.

Both sides agreed that the Home Secretaries of the two countries and the Joint River Waters Commission should meet more frequently.

Home Secretaries of the two countries and the Chiefs of their respective border guards meet annually for discussions on security-related issues including border disputes.

The two sides also agreed that SAFTA needs to be implemented as soon as possible and to operationalise the Sealdah-Deopara rail link.

The Indian delegation at the talks comprised Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran.

Begum Zia was accompanied by her Foreign Minister Morshed Khan and Finance Minister.

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