In what was being described as a significant meeting between Bangladesh and India, combating terror topped the agenda on both sides. In this context both India and Bangladesh agreed to counter terrorism through operationalising  the agreement on combating terror,  organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.  The two countries also signed an MoU to amend the extradition treaty to make it more effective. The MoU approved an addendum to the bilateral extradition treaty to make the pact easier for both sides.
 “There will be greater cooperation between Bangladesh and India in anti-terrorism measures” the media was told at the conclusion of a high level meeting of the Home Ministers of the two countries. Emerging from the about 90-minute meeting, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters: “India has promised that it will stand by the side of Bangladesh in the fight against terror”.
The two countries agreed on the need to immediately operationalise the Agreement on Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
Bangladesh efforts in the various counter-terrorism measures were particularly mentioned as was its bid to  fight extremist and radical elements, according to an official statement.
Both India and Bangladesh agreed to further strengthen the ongoing cooperation between the security and investigative agencies of the two countries through a programme of training, capacity-building, information exchanges, etc, it added.
Assuring Bangladesh of India’s fullest support and cooperation in its fight against terrorism, fundamentalism and radicalism, India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the horrific terrorist attacks in Dhaka in July this year.  
Singh said that the two countries have to be vigilant at all times and channelize efforts to defeat the terrorism and ensure peace, security and prosperity between the two countries.
The Indian Home Minister recalled the excellent and friendly bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh and expressed deep satisfaction over the ratification of the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 and its Protocol of 2011 last year.
According to a clause  of the Extradition treaty, evidence alongside the warrant of arrest was needed to extradite such persons.
According to the amended proposal, extradition of the convicted and under-trial criminals will be possible if a court in any of the countries issues an arrest warrant against them.
Bangladesh cabinet had approved the amendment on July 18. The extradition treaty between the two countries went into force on October 23, 2016.
An official statement issued after today’s meeting said the Mou on an addendum to the bilateral extradition treaty was aimed at “further streamlining the treaty and making it more effective.”
 They also agreed on the necessity of signing a Repatriation Treaty to simplify and expedite the procedure of repatriation of each other’s nationals. Both sides also agreed to undertake urgent action for the repatriation of released prisoners and victims of human trafficking, according to an official  statement.
There was  satisfaction on the timely completion of all aspects of the Agreement, signing of 30 boundary strip maps pertaining to erstwhile adverse possessions and un-demarcated areas, completion of ground demarcation work, orderly movement of those enclave dwellers who chose to move to mainland India, completion of citizenship formalities of erstwhile enclave residents on both sides.
Recalling the historic visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in June 2015, the two Home Ministers agreed that the visit had “infused a new dynamism in bilateral relations, widening the avenues for cooperation between the two countries”.
“Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen this relationship further on the basis of friendship, trust and understanding for mutual benefit,” said the statement.
India and Bangladesh also emphasized the need for speedy operationalization of three bilateral MoUs:  MoU between Indian Coast Guard and Bangladesh Coast Guard for Establishment of Collaborative Relationship to Combat Transnational Illegal Activities at Sea and Develop Regional Cooperation, MoU to Prevent and Counter Smuggling and Circulation of Fake Currency Notes and MoU on Bilateral Cooperation for Prevention of Human Trafficking especially trafficking in women and children; rescue, recovery, repatriation and reintegration of victims of trafficking ,signed during the visit of  Modi to Dhaka in June 2015.
Both sides emphasized the importance of effective implementation of the Coordinated
Border Management Plan (CBMP) to enhance cooperation between the border guarding forces of the two countries and to enable them to better monitor the identified vulnerable areas with a view to preventing criminal activities, irregular movement, acts of violence and loss of lives along the border areas. (ends)