rtvonline
The sixth Bangladesh-India home minister level talks decided to work in closer cooperation to ensure a crime free border, training of policemen and combating militancy.
Briefing newsmen after the talks with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said security issues largely featured their meeting with particular focus on border management, cross-border crimes and illegal activities. Reports BSS.
"Discussions were held to ease travel arrangements between the two countries as well," he said adding that under a revised travel agreement signed on Sunday Bangladeshi freedom fighters and elderly nationals would get five years' multiple Indian visa.
He said the meeting decided to increase facilities at the entry points on the border and simultaneously discussions were held to make easier the visa
issuance process for students and medical treatment seekers in India.
"We had a successful meeting," Singh said in a brief comment the Indian home minister said but did not join Kamal in the media briefing.
An Indian High Commission, however, issued a statement saying the meeting discussed "all security related matters of interest including counter terrorism, capacity building and increased cooperation between security agencies, border management, countering illegal activities like fake
currency, drug and human trafficking, consular issues etc".
It said the two home ministers noted the significant progress was made in the bilateral relationship under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Narendra Modi while both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the ties on the basis of friendship, trust and understanding for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.