Dhaka. 18 November, 2015. The 17th Home Secretary level talks between India and Bangladesh and meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) between the two countries were held in Dhaka on November 16-17, 2015, to discuss the security and border management related issues. The Indian delegation was led by the Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and the Bangladesh delegation was led by Senior Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr. Md. Mozammel Haque Khan. Indian delegation for JWG meeting was led by M.A. Ganapathy, Joint Secretary, MHA.
In the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance they attach to the relations between the two countries and reiterated their desire to further expand and strengthen mutual cooperation. Both sides agreed to strengthen the bilateral arrangements to address the menace of terrorism and extremism in all its manifestations.
Bangladesh side assured full cooperation to address India’s security concerns and reiterated that Bangladesh will not allow its soil to be used against the interest any country including India. Both sides agreed to further expedite the process of handing over of other wanted criminals in either country.
Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to take immediate action on the basis of real time and actionable information on smuggling of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), drugs and arms and ammunitions.
Both sides noted the menace of trafficking of women and children and agreed to designate nodal points on both sides for coordinated action against individuals/touts/agents involved in human trafficking.
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 and also implementation of agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TSP).
Both sides agreed to implement Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) in letter and its spirit for effective guarding of Indo-Bangladesh border. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the implementation of Land Boundary Agreement.
Both sides also agreed for regular meetings of Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrates of the districts bordering Indo-Bangladesh border to resolve the local issues.
Both sides agreed to enhance co-operation in training/capacity building in Police and other law enforcement agencies. While expressing satisfaction at the existing level of co-operation, they agreed to expand it further.
Both sides agreed that the next Home Secretary level talks would be held in Delhi, the date of which would be decided through diplomatic channels.
