Dhaka, Delhi finalise 3 key agreements

India and Bangladesh yesterday finalised three key agreements, including transfer of prisoners, to be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India next month.

Treaties on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, transfer of prisoners and bilateral agreement on combating international terrorism have been finalised on the first day of the three-day home secretary-level talks that began here yesterday.

"All the three treaties will be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India," an Indian home ministry official said.

Hasina will arrive here on December 18 for a three-day official visit.

Home secretaries of India and Bangladesh began talks on security-related issues including an extradition treaty, action against militants and illegal migration across the border ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit.

The three-day talks will finalise the pending treaties on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, extradition treaty and bilateral agreement on combating international terrorism, organised crimes and drug trafficking, said an official statement issued here yesterday evening.

During the meeting, the two sides will deliberate on issues like action against militants, insurgents groups or leaders and early activation of designated nodal points for sharing of information and modalities for follow-up action, said the statement.

They would also discuss action on Red Corner Notices for the arrests of wanted persons through enhanced interaction between the Interpol-designated points, smuggling of arms, ammunition and fake currency notes, control of illicit drug trafficking, and border management-related issues like fencing.

Working out joint border management plan, measures to check illegal cross-border movement, including human trafficking and illegal migration will also come for talks.

Gopal Krishna Pillai heads the Indian side at the talks while Abdus Sabhan Sikder the visiting delegation.

A joint statement will be signed on December 2.