India, Bulgaria to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, crime

New Delhi, Jun 11 (UNI) India and Bulgaria today held wideranging discussions on various security related bilateral issues like combating organised crime, terrorism and drug trafficking.

The Indian delegation was headed by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, while the Bulgarian side was led by Deputy Minister of Interior Goran Yonov.

The talks were aimed at reviewing the initiatives and progress outlined under the Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Organized Crime, International Terrorism and Illegal Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the two countries had signed in 1994, as also for developing newer areas of cooperation on issues of mutual concern.

During the talks, both the sides expressed satisfaction at the evolving ties in matters of mutual concern pertaining to security, organised crime, international terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.

It was appreciated that the framework provided by the 1994 Agreement was acquiring substantial content and detailed agency-to-agency contact has been worked out with the Indian agencies concerned.

Both the sides also agreed to move ahead with detailed proposals for mutually beneficial capacity building programmes.

The Bulgarian delegation had yesterday had separate subject-specific interactions with officials of the Intelligence Bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

Mr Yonov is also scheduled to call on Home Minister Shivraj V Patil and the Minister of State for Law and Justice K Venkatapathy.

The Bulgarian delegation is on a visit to India from June 10 to June 13.

UNI AJ ATI GC1518