Delhi-Dhaka Talks Over NE illegal immigration issue

The Seventh meeting of the India-Bangladesh Home Minister Level Talks (HMLT) was held in New Delhi on Wednesday. Home Minister Amit Shah raised India's concern regarding the illicit movement of undocumented persons across the border, with a view to find solutions to this problem especially in North East India.

The HMLT was co-chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah and Asaduzzaman Khan, Minister for Home Affairs of Bangladesh.

Home Minister congratulated the visiting dignitary on hisresumption of the office as Home Minister of Bangladesh for a second term, andreiterated India's full support for Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina'sdevelopment agenda.

Both the Ministers reiterated the significance attached tothe bilateral relationship, which is forged in the 1971 Liberation War, whichgoes far beyond a strategic partnership. They are rooted in history, culture,language and shared values of democracy, secularism, development cooperationand countless other commonalities.

During the meeting, the Ministers expressed satisfactionthat both countries are working closer than ever before in every sector,including security and border management. They reiterated their commitment tokeep the borders friendly, and in this regard appreciated the closeco-operation between their border guarding forces.

Home Minister appreciated Bangladesh's policy of notallowing use of its territory by extremists and insurgents for perpetratingviolence in other countries including India. The gamut of issues related tobilateral security co-operation was discussed during the meeting.

Both the Home Ministers reaffirmed the need to further curbthe menace of trans-border crimes, and therefore agreed to the need for greaterco-operation to achieve our aim of a secure border. Both sides also reviewed thepending issues related to security and infrastructure at the borders, andagreed to take steps towards the expedited resolution of these matters.

The Indian Home Minister assured the Home Minister ofBangladesh of India's continuing support for safe and speedy repatriation ofthe displaced Myanmar citizens sheltered in Bangladesh, for whom India hasprovided humanitarian assistance in four tranches since September 2017. Theleaders also looked forward to enhancing cooperation in simplifying people topeople contact and travel for business, health and tourism, including throughpromoting connectivity.