Bangladesh has requested South Africa to expedite the process of extraditing Maulana Tajuddin, a key accused in 21 August grenade attack case reportedly living in the African nation, to the country to face justice. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam made the request during a meeting with South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms. Nomaindiya Mfeketo on the sidelines of meeting of Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) at Bali, Indonesia yesterday, said a Foreign Ministry press release.  
The South African deputy minister reiterated her government’s willingness to cooperate in this regard. Shahriar Alam also met with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on the sidelines where he thanked the Australian government for adjusting their air-cargo restrictions and adhering to uniform mileposts for aviation security. He apprised the Australian Minister that the government of Bangladesh was doing everything to secure the country, its economy and its guests from acts of terror and hoped that the Australian government would remove soon the air-cargo restrictions in full. Minister Bishop appreciated the measures taken by the government of Bangladesh to enhance the security situation and mentioned that her government was also following on it. The state minister also held a bilateral meeting with Dr Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates who lead the UAE delegation at the meeting. In his statement at the meeting, Shahriar mentioned that IORA should take pride for its meaningful engagements during the last two decades in Indian Ocean region through sustained dialogue and cooperation, and thus had emerged as a responsible forum that comprehensively addressed regional and global security issues pertinent to the region. “IORA, a key driving force to ensure development, peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region”, he said.