India plans jt action plan with Bangladesh, Nepal

India is formulating a joint action plan with Bangladesh and Nepal for quick and safe repatriation of cross-border victims of human trafficking, which has emerged as a major challenge for South Asia.
"We are working on a joint plan of action and a roadmap with Bangladesh for quick and safe return of cross-border trafficking victims," said India's Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury while addressing an international conference on human trafficking here on Wednesday.
Minister of State for Home Manikrao Gavit, who also attended the conference, said the Indian government is working with the authorities in Nepal and Bangladesh to find ways to jointly tackle the problem of human trafficking in the region.
"It must be stressed that in all rescue and repatriation programmes, no distinction is made between trafficked victims on the basis of nationality and the best interest of the victims is the prime consideration," Chowdhury said.
She said India was taking pro-active initiatives to combat human trafficking, including amendment to the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, to target the traffickers and other perpetrators of the crime.
"We are also launching a comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration and repatriation of the victims, including cross-border victims," Chowdhury remarked.