India has raised its concern over the “illicit movement of undocumented persons across the border, with a view to finding a solution to this problem, especially in North East India.” Indian Home Minister Amit Shah raised the concern during a home minister-level meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, according to a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday.

According to the release, both the ministers reaffirmed the need to further curb the menace of trans-border crimes, and agreed to the need for greater cooperation to achieve common aim of a secure border. The ministers reiterated

their commitment to keep the borders friendly, and in this regard appreciated the close co-operation between their border guarding forces.

The Indian home minister appreciated Bangladesh’s policy of not allowing the use of its territory by extremists and insurgents for perpetrating violence in other countries, including India.

The seventh meeting of the Bangladesh-India home minister-level talks expressed satisfaction that both countries are working closer than ever before in every sector, including security and border management.

Both sides also reviewed the pending issues related to security and infrastructure at the borders, and agreed to take steps towards the expedited resolution of these matters.

Both the ministers reiterated the significance attached to the bilateral relationship, which is forged in the 1971 Liberation War, which goes far beyond a strategic partnership. They said the bilateral ties are a role model for good neighbourly relations across the world, according to Press Information Bureau of India. They are rooted in history, culture, language and shared values of democracy, secularism, development cooperation and countless other commonalities.

Amit Shah assured the Bangladesh home minister of India’s continued support for safe and speedy repatriation of the displaced Myanmar citizens sheltered in Bangladesh, for whom India has provided humanitarian assistance in four tranches since September 2017.

The leaders also looked forward to enhancing cooperation in simplifying people-to-people contact and travel for business, health and tourism, including through promoting connectivity.