India, Bangladesh commit to increase bilateral cooperation

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) India and Bangladesh today expressed commitment to further widen the co-operation between the two countries, and said issues of concern be addressed in positive and constructive spirit.

This commitment was made by Home Secretary Madhukhar Gupta and his Bangladesh counterpart Mohd. Abdul Karim at the 8th Round of Bilateral Talks.

''Talks were held today in a positive and constructive atmosphere.

Various aspects of security, border management and co-operation in police matters were discussed,'' an official spokesman said here today.

Both sides expressed the hope that the current round of talks would lead to further strengthening of mutual co-operation.

The issues of internal security, embankment, flood control, fencing of border and terrorism are being discussed at the meeting.

Issues relating to terrorists and criminals crossing the border after commiting crime would also come up especially ULFA leaders staying in Bangladesh.

The two-day long Home Secretaries level talk is part of the bilateral institutional mechanism set up in 1994 to resolve security and border management issues.

The Director General of BSF and the Director General, Bangladesh Rifles also participated in the talks.

In the afternoon, the Bangladesh Home Secretary called on Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. The meeting lasted about half an hour.

The Bangladesh delegation is likely to visit the National Police Academy at Hyderabad before it returns to Dhaka.

The previous rounds of talks were held at Dhaka in August 24-27, 2006.

UNI