DHAKA – Bangladesh today reassured India that it will not allow its soil tobe used for any terrorist activities against the neighbouring country asvisiting Home Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his counterpartAsaduzzaman Khan on security-related issues.
Singh, who is here on a three-day visit, co-chaired with Khan the 6thIndia-Bangladesh home minister-level talks. The meeting discussed “allsecurity related matters of interest including counter terrorism, capacitybuilding and increased cooperation between security agencies, bordermanagement, countering illegal activities like fake currency, drug andhuman trafficking, consular issues”, the Indian High Commission in Dhakasaid in a statement. Briefing reporters after his talks Singh, Khan saidsecurity issues largely featured in their meeting, with particular focus onborder management, cross-border crimes and illegal activities. “We had asuccessful meeting,” Singh said in his brief comment. He did not join Khanfor the media briefing.
Khan said Bangladesh reassured India that “we will not allow its soil to beused for any terrorist activities particularly against India in line withour zero tolerance policy to terrorism and militancy”. He said India hasextended all types of support to Bangladesh to counter terrorism andmilitancy. “They are now exchanging militancy related information with us,”he said. “Discussions were held to ease travel arrangements between the twocountries as well,” he said, adding that under a revised travel agreementsigned today Bangladeshi freedom fighters and elderly nationals would getfive years’ multiple Indian visa. Khan said discussions were held to makeeasier the visa issuance process for students and medical treatment seekersin India.
Khan said the Rohingya issue was also discussed and his counterpartconveyed India’s commitment to extend its assistance for safe, speedy andsustainable return of these people to Myanmar’s Rakhine state.India hasoffered to send more relief material and supplies to help Bangladesh dealwith the needs of those in the relief camps. India is simultaneouslyworking on a project to construct pre-fabricated housing in Rakhine toensure the displaced Rohingya are properly resettled post-deportation.
More than six lakh Rohingya Muslims have taken shelter in Bangladeshfollowing violence in Rakhine State in August last year. Yesterday, Singhheld an “extremely fruitful” meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister SheikhHasina when they discussed issues of mutual concern, including the menaceof terrorism. An Indian high commission statement issued after the meetingsaid Singh sincerely thanked Hasina for cooperation in addressing NewDelhi’s “security concerns”. The statement said Hasina agreed with Singhthat joint bilateral efforts to combat militancy and terrorism yielded”special success”.
According to a spokesperson from Bangladesh Prime Minister’s office, Singh,without naming any country, said that the expected regional collaborativeactions against militancy was not possible due to some nations in theregion.”After spending three days in Bangladesh I am heading back to NewDelhi. I am deeply touched by the warmth and hospitality of the people ofBangladesh. Bharat-Bangladesh Moitree Chirojeebi Hok (Long liveIndia-bangladesh friendship),” Singh tweeted before his return to NewDelhi.