BIMSTEC countries to streamline fight against terrorrism

New Delhi, May 5 (UNI) BIMSTEC countries have decided to further streamline their functioning for countering terrorism and trans-national crimes and make it more vibrant and effective.

The second meeting of the BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Trans-national Crimes (JWG-CTTC) which concluded here today, reviewed Reports of the meetings of its four sub-groups on Legal and Law Enforcement Issues, Intelligence Sharing, Combating Financing of Terrorism and Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals.

The two-day meeting also decided on ways and means to further streamline the functioning of these four Sub-Groups.

It agreed upon concrete steps to strengthen cooperation among the BIMSTEC countries to make these Sub-Groups more vibrant and effective, an official statement said.

The first BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok on July 31, 2004, had decided to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) to strengthen efforts against terrorism and transnational crimes. The first meeting of the JWG-CTTC was held in New Delhi on December 9-10, 2004. The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Rajiv Sikri, Secretary (East) Ministry of External Affairs, who also led the Indian delegation aat the discussions.

Other delegations to the Meeting were led by Mr Anwarul Karim, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh, Mr Tharchean, Senior Legal Officer/Under Secretary, Bureau of Law and Order, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Bhutan, Brig. Gen. Phone Swe, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, Myanmar, Mr Deepak Kumar Shrestha, Counsellor of Royal Nepalese Embassy, New Delhi, Mr Karunatilaka Amunugama, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka, and General Winai Phattiyakul, Secretary General, Office of the National Security Council, Thailand.

It was agreed that the next Meeting of the Joint Working Group will be held in Myanmar in December this year.

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