Dhaka: Bangladesh on Sunday reassured India that it will not allow its soil to be used for any terrorist activities against the neighbouring country, as India's Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh held talks with his counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan on security-related issues.
Singh, who was in Dhaka on a three-day visit, co-chaired with Khan the 6th India-Bangladesh home minister-level talks. At the meeting, they discussed "all security-related matters of interest, including counter-terrorism, capacity-building and increased cooperation between security agencies, border management, countering illegal activities such as fake currency smuggling, drug and human trafficking and consular issues", the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said.
Briefing reporters after his talks with Singh, Khan said security issues largely featured at their meeting, with particular focus on border management, cross-border crimes and illegal activities. Singh did not join Khan for the media briefing. "We had a successful meeting," he said in his brief comment.
Khan said Bangladesh reassured India that "we will not allow its soil to be used for any terrorist activities, particularly against India in line with our zero tolerance policy to terrorism and militancy". He said India has extended all types of support to Bangladesh to counter terrorism and militancy.
"They are now exchanging militancy related information with us. Discussions were held to ease travel arrangements between the two countries as well," he said, adding that under a revised travel agreement, Bangladeshi freedom fighters and elderly nationals would get five years' multiple Indian visas.
Khan said discussions were held to make easier the visa issuance process for students and those seeking medical treatment in India. He said that the Rohingya issue was also discussed and his counterpart conveyed India's commitment to extend its assistance for safe, speedy and sustainable return of these people to Myanmar's Rakhine state.
