14th Meeting of Home Secretaries of India and Bangladesh held

Following is the text of the joint press statement on the 14^th Meeting of the Home Secretaries of India and? Bangladesh held in New Delhi from July 19^th to? July 22^nd? 2013.

????????? ?The 14^th?meeting of the Home Secretaries of India and Bangladesh was held in New Delhi from July 19^th to July 22^nd, 2013. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. Anil Goswami, Union Home Secretary, Government of India. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Mr. C. Q. K. Mustaq Ahmed, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Bangladesh.

???????The two Home Secretaries recalled the excellent and friendly bilateral relations existing between India and Bangladesh and reiterated their commitment to further take these relations forward. They noted that the exchange of visits by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India in January 2010 and September 2011 respectively and by the Home Minister of Bangladesh to India in February and December 2012 and the Home Minister of India to Bangladesh in July 2011 and January 2013 has infused a new dynamism in the bilateral relations in general and security cooperation in particular. They also noted that the bilateral cooperation in the field of security and border management has been strengthened with the signing of four agreements pertaining to security cooperation including the Extradition Treaty.

??????They took note of the outcome of the 13th JWG meeting on Security issues held on 18 July 2013, wherein the two sides discussed issues such as security, border management, incidents of deaths due to firing on the border, implementation of agreements, ratification of the land boundary agreement, visa and consular related matters, capacity building etc.

?????The Indian Home Secretary conveyed the appreciation of Government of India to Government of Bangladesh for extending cooperation for addressing the security concerns of India. The two Home Secretaries reaffirmed their commitment not to allow the territory of either country to be used for any activity inimical to each other?s interests. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the smooth operation of Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) and agreed to increase the frequency of coordinated patrolling with a view to curbing criminal activities along the border.

??????They noted with satisfaction that the implementation of the CBMP has resulted in reduced number of border incidents. Agreeing that it is a joint responsibility, both Home Secretaries expressed confidence that increased number of coordinated patrolling would enhance cooperation between the border guarding forces of the two countries, and enable them to prevent the movement of criminals and manage the identified vulnerable areas with a view to prevent criminal activities, acts of violence and loss of lives along the border areas. As an additional measure for better border management, both sides welcomed the recent DC-DM conference between Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh and West Tripura district of India. They agreed to have regular consultations between the DMs-DCs of border districts for resolving local issues. Both the sides also agreed to sensitize the media about ground realities of border management.

???????Both sides agreed to further intensify the activities of the different nodal points in different areas of cooperation such as human trafficking, drugs, INTERPOL, etc. They expressed satisfaction at the regular interaction of different bilateral mechanisms, including BGB-BSF DG level meetings, Narcotics DG level meetings, JWG on Security issues etc. and noted that these regular exchanges helped to enhance understanding and resolve issues to mutual satisfaction.

??????Both sides agreed to extend cooperation for apprehension of wanted criminals and fugitives. The Bangladesh Home Secretary urged for immediate tracking, arresting, and handing over the killers of Bangabandhu, the Father of the nation of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Indian Home Secretary assured that India will continue to extend all possible assistance in this regard.

??????Both sides expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation in the seizure and prevention of trafficking of drugs. Bangladesh side also appreciated the decision of the Indian Government to invoke the provisions of the NDPS Act to contain the trafficking of Codeine based syrups like Phensedyl. ?It was also agreed to expand and strengthen further cooperation in sharing actionable intelligence in real time.

??????Both sides noted that the implementation of three agreements (Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Combating Terrorism, organized crime and illicit drug trafficking) signed during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in 2010 has been satisfactory.

????Both the Home Secretaries reviewed the measures taken to expedite the verification and repatriation of prisoners who have completed their sentences. Both sides welcomed the recent setting up of procedures for transfer of sentenced prisoners and agreed to expedite the process so that nationals who are in each other?s jails could serve remaining period of their sentence in their native country.

??????Both sides discussed the ratification of the LBA-1974 and the protocol signed in 2011 and noted that early ratification of the same would pave the way for implementation of the provisions of the agreement and lay the long pending boundary related issues at rest.

?????Both sides welcomed that the Joint Task Force on Fake Currency Notes has been set up and agreed that the first meeting may be convened soon to develop a mechanism to deal with the menace.

????Both sides agreed that there should be greater number of goodwill visits and increased cooperation in training on subjects like Cyber Crime, ICT, Forensic Sciences etc. The Indian side reiterated its offer of training courses for law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh in Indian Institutions.

??????The Home Secretary of Bangladesh invited the Home Secretary of India for the 15th Home Secretary level talks at a mutually convenient time in Bangladesh.?

?

KSD/HR/SK

****

?

Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=97344

Tavon Austin Ella Fitzgerald Kenny Vaccaro Kate McKinnon gwyneth paltrow Pink moon Schwab