core sector communique

12th India-Bangladesh Home Secretary Level talks Conclude
The Two Sides Reiterate Commitment to Strengthen Co-Operation in Border Related Issues

The 12th meeting of the Home Secretaries between India and Bangladesh was concluded at New Delhi today. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. R.K. Singh, Union Home Secretary while the Bangladesh delegation was led by Mr. Monzur Hossain. The two sides issued a joint statement at the conclusion of the talks. Following is the text of the joint statement:

“Highlighting the fact that both India and Bangladesh attach highest importance to their bilateral relations, both leaders reiterated their commitment to further expand and strengthen mutual cooperation in the security and border related issues. Appreciating the existing level of cooperation and action taken to address the menace of terrorism and extremism in a more effective manner by both the countries, both Home Secretaries reaffirm their commitment not to allow the territory of either country to use for any activity inimical to each other’s interests.

Noting that continuous enhanced interaction at various fora including at the highest level between the two countries have proved beneficial in resolving the various long pending issues, it was agreed that current level of engagement between the two countries need to be further consolidated for mutual benefits.

Both sides agreed to operationalise Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TSP), Agreement on Combating Organized Crime and Illegal Drug Trafficking which were signed during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in January 2010 and to implement the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) signed during the visit of Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs of India to Bangladesh in July 2011. Similarly, both sides agreed that Extradition Treaty, under consideration by both the Governments, may be finalized at an early date.

Bangladesh side sought assistance of Indian side in tracking, apprehending and handing over of the killers of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Indian side assured of extending all possible cooperation and sought additional information in this regard.

The two Home Secretaries reviewed the functioning of the nodal points for sharing of information on security related matters and expressed their satisfaction in this regard. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to take immediate action on the basis of real time and actionable information through nodal points of the two countries.

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. Both sides agreed to provide consular access for expediting verification of nationality of the persons lodged in jails. In order to further intensify people to people contact, both sides agreed to discuss visa related issues in the next meeting of the Revised Travel Agreement, which would be held soon.

The meeting noted with appreciation the firing incidence has considerably reduced along the international border. Both sides agreed that utmost restraint would be exercised to avoid human casualty.

Indian side appreciated the cooperation extended by Bangladesh side to prevent smuggling of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) into India. Both sides agreed to further enhance level of cooperation and vigilance in this regard. Both sides also discussed the urgency of stopping the smuggling of narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Both sides seriously took into cognizance the menace of human trafficking, particularly women and children along Indo-Bangladesh border. Both sides agreed that the two Task Forces under the respective Ministries need to meet on a regular basis for better coordination aiming to combating this social menace.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in capacity building of Police and other law enforcement agencies. Bangladesh side welcomed the offer made by the Indian side for training of police personnel and capacity building of police forces.

Both sides agreed that the next Home Secretary level Talks would be held in Dhaka, the date of which would be decided through diplomatic channels.”