Indo-Bangladesh Home Secy level talks focus on security management

Dhaka, Aug 30 (UNI) India and Bangladesh Home Secretary level talks began here today focusing on security and border management issues as the two sides put on the table various proposals to tackle cross-border crimes and insurgency, demarcation of common boundary and drugs and women trafficking.

''We discussed a broad ranges of issues starting from security to border management,'' Indian Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta told reporters at a tea-break after an hour-long meeting at Hotel Sheraton.

Asked about signing of any extradition treaty to hand over criminals to their respective countries, he said there are several proposals from Indian side including the extradition and mutual legal assistance to deal with terrorists.

Bangladesh Home Secretary Abdul Karim said the talks are continuing in a friendly and cordial atmosphere discussing various issues like security, border management, trafficking of drugs, women and children and police cooperation.

Mr Gupta is leading a 14-member delegation to the 2-day meeting while Mr Karim is heading an 18-member home side. The two sides will hold a joint press briefing tomorrow at the end of the meeting.

Over the decades, a number of border related issues and cross-border crimes like demarcation of 6.2 kms boundary, implementation of the Mujib-Indira boundary agreement of 1974, smuggling of drugs, trafficking of women and children, killing of civilians along the border and insurgency have remain unresolved.

The Indian Home Secretary will make a courtesy call on Home Affairs Advisor Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin tomorrow.

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