Making 'substantial progress' in talks on security issues, India and Bangladesh on Friday agreed to combat cross-border terrorism, coordinated patrolling along the frontiers and work closely on issues of Indian insurgent hideouts in this country and anti-Bangladeshis in India.
Bangladesh also agreed to examine India's proposal for an Extradition Treaty and an Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters.
The decisions were taken at the two-day talks between Indian Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Omar Faruque.
A joint press statement issued at the end of the talks said both sides approached all issues on the basis of mutual understanding and appreciation of each other's position and senstivities, on the basis of mutual reciprocity and creation of mutual confidence.
Singh and Farooq told reporters that they have reached a consensus on cross-border terrorism 'through a simultaneous operation' along their respective borders, especially to stop drug smuggling, human trafficking and trespassing by criminals'.
"Taking advantage of our long porous border, criminals and insurgents do their unlawful business along the border. We have agreed to work together closely," Singh said.
On joint patrolling, the Indian official said the Bangladesh Rifles and Indian Border Security Force 'will
discuss the modalities, but we have agreed for a coordinated patrolling along the borders to stop cross-border crimes'.
Faruque said, "We know we have porous borders and border guards from both the countries will check the border from their territory."
"Both sides, which made substantial progress on security talks, agreed that better and more effective border guarding is necessary to prevent trafficking and movements across the border without proper and legal documents," he said.
The two countries also agreed to work closely on the issues of anti-Bangladeshis in India and Indian insurgent hideouts in Bangladesh with each side taking into account their respective 'perception and views'.
Bangladesh also agreed as a 'gesture of friendly response' to give double entry and exit visas to Indian
nationals transiting through any international air or land ports of Bangladesh.
Top border officials of the two countries with a common porous border of 4,000 kms are expected to meet on September 29 in New Delhi.
Border incidents have been a cause of irritation between the two neighbours and Faruque said he was hopeful this would reduce with the agreement to remain interactive.
On signing of a treaty on extraditing criminals as well as detainees in the two countries, Faruque said, "We have agreed to examine and respond to the proposal put forward by India for an extradition treaty."
Referring to the joint-statement, he said the Indian side made certain proposals in this regard through the Joint Boundary Working Group (JBWG) and Dhaka was examining them and agreed to reply soon.
On Bangladesh's long-standing demand for ratification of the 1974 border treaty signed by slain leaders Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi, Singh said it is a legal process.
His Bangladesh counterpart said, "We request them to solve the problem as a package, which includes demarcation of 6.5 kms of land boundary, exchange of enclaves and adverse possession of land."
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