All set for extradition treaty with India
An extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India is likely to be signed during Indian Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's Dhaka visit later this month.
"We are finalising the draft of the treaty and keeping regular contact with India for tabling it when the Indian minister comes," an additional secretary of the ministry told The Daily Star yesterday, requesting anonymity.
He added they were finalising the draft keeping in mind the national interests of the two countries.
The Indian home minister is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on January 28 on a three-day visit.
Asked about signing of the treaty, Bangladesh Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir said at his secretariat office yesterday, "See what happens on January 29."
The two countries moved closer to finalising the draft extradition agreement during Alamgir's visit to New Delhi last month.
One of the additional secretaries who accompanied MK Alamgir during the visit said the issue was important to both the countries as many top-listed Bangladeshi criminals crossed the border and are running the crime world over the phone -- a major concern for Bangladesh.
Similarly, some Indian separatists like Ulfa General Secretary Anup Chetia having intruded into Bangladesh control their outfits from here, which is a big worry for India.
Besides, Bangladesh war crimes accused Abul Kalam Azad and convicted Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's killer Riasaldar Mosleuddin are believed to be hiding in India.
Once an extradition treaty is signed, both the countries would be able to easily get back their "disturbing elements" in the shortest possible time, said the ministry official.
The issue of arms and drugs trafficking from India to Bangladesh will also be raised during the Indian minister's visit.
The Bangladesh home ministry sources said the government had intelligence that small arms were being trafficked in the country from India.
In addition, Dhaka will raise its concern over the killing of Bangladesh nationals by the India's border force.
The government has recently asked the deputy commissioners of bordering districts to take stringent steps to stop border crossing by Bangladeshis illegally, Kamal Uddin Ahmed, additional home secretary, told The Daily Star.
MK Alamgir led a 12-member Bangladesh delegation to India, including Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Tariq A Karim and additional secretaries of the home ministry Kamaluddin Ahmed and Shafiqul Islam.
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