BD land not for terror activities against India: Home Minister
Bangladesh has conveyed it to India that it will not allow using an inch of its land to operate terror activities against India as Bangladesh shows zero tolerance to terrorism and militancy, reports UNB.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said this while briefing reporters after the sixth home minister-level talks at the Secretariat that discussed cooperation between the two neighbouring countries with a special focus on security cooperation.
A 13-member Bangladesh delegation, led by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and 9-member Indian delegation, led by Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, attended the meeting held at the conference room of the Home Ministry in the capital.
The home minister said India extended all types of supports to Bangladesh as sought by Bangladesh to counter terrorism and militancy."They're exchanging information with us so that we can combat terrorism and militancy," he said.
The ministers discussed issues related to security, border management, cooperation in countering illegal activities and travel arrangements at the meeting.
The Indian side also discussed the influx of Rohingyas from the Rakhine State of Myanmar over the past year and conveyed that India is committed to extending help in the safe, speedy and sustainable return of these persons to their homes.
On Friday, the visiting Indian home minister said Bangladesh and India have made a "noteable progress" in transforming land and maritime boundaries into zones of peace and tranquility.
"India attaches great significance to ties with Bangladesh," said the Indian minister.
The last home minister-level talks were held in July 2016 in New Delhi.
During the meeting, the 'Revised Travel Arrangements 2018' was signed between the two countries to ease visa system.
Home Secretary (Protection Service Division) Farid Uddin Ahmed and Special Secretary of Department of Border
Management of India Sri Brij Raj Sharma signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
According to the agreement, the freedom fighters and elderly citizens of Bangladesh,aged above 65,will get multiple-visa for five years, when applied, he said.
Around one crore people from Bangladesh travel to different countries every year and at least 30 lakh of them are going to India, said the minister.
Besides, the Indian counterpart also assured them of providing necessary help to resolve problems of Bangladesh and provide higher training to police, Rab and fire service department personnel's, the minister added.
The meeting also decided to provide necessary assistance to construct road in bordering areas.
Replying to a query about bringing back two killers of Bangabandhu from India, the minister said, "A committee was formed earlier to look into the matter and the committee is working on it."
