New Delhi: India and Bangladesh on Wednesday finalised drafts of three key treaties, including transfer of sentenced persons, which will be signed when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrives here later this month.
Drafts of agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Transfer of Sentenced Persons and bilateral agreement on Combating International Terrorism, organised crime and illicit drug trafficking were finalised during the three-day meeting of Home Secretaries of India and Bangladesh.
The treaties will be signed when Hasina will arrive here on December 18 for a three-day state visit.
"Both sides agreed to develop mechanisms to further hasten the process of verification of nationality status of prisoners lodged in jails of either country, particularly of those who have completed their sentence, to enable their early repatriation," Bangladesh Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder told reporters here.
During the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance they attach to the relations between the two countries and said they desire to further expand and strengthen mutual cooperation.
"Both sides condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their commitment not to allow the use of territory of either country for any activity inimical to each other's interests," Home Secretary G K Pillai said.
Asked about reports of militants setting up bases in Bangladesh, Sikder said his country did not harbour any elements which were inimical to India.
"Bangladesh's position is clear. It does not support or harbour any terrorist or organisation. We do not allow any elements to use our soil. We have arrested a number of militants belonging to different outfits in the past," Sikder said.
On the possibility of launching joint operations against militants, Pillai said, "No such discussion has taken place during the talks".
Both India and Bangladesh reaffirmed their resolve to take immediate action on the basis of real time and actionable information and agreed to redouble efforts to locate subjects of Red Corner Notices in either country.
The Indian side expressed its concern over smuggling of fake Indian currency notes into the country and sought Bangladesh's cooperation for preventing such activities.
Both sides agreed that there was a need to expedite the settlement of land boundary related issues and it was agreed that these would be discussed in the next meeting of the Joint Border Working Group.
Both sides recognised the need for electrification of Dahagram and Angarpota along the Indo-Bangla border as a humanitarian gesture.
Pillai thanked the Bangladesh government for its
cooperation on different issues and specially for timely
action to prevent attack on the Indian mission in Bangladesh.
India and Bangladesh also noted the menace of
trafficking of women and children along the Indo-Bangla border
and agreed to designate nodal points on both sides for
coordinated action against individuals/ touts/agents involved
in human trafficking.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in capacity
building in police and other law enforcement agencies. While
expressing satisfaction at the existing level of cooperation,
they agreed to extend it further.
The next Home Secretary level talks will be held in
Dhaka, dates for which would be decided through diplomatic
channels.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 02, 2009, 16:57