India-B'desh Home Minister level talks next week in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Amidst hectic political campaign Home Minister Rajnath Singh has invited his Bangladesh counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan for bilateral talks next week here.

Though Singh is also contesting the Lok Sabha poll from Lucknow constituency, he thought it was important to have the 7th round of bilateral talks before the polls.

During the polls, most of the paramilitary forces would be deployed all over the country. India needs special cooperation from Bangladesh to keep a strict vigil on the border and especially to the sensitive areas. Intelligence agencies have alerted the government for a possible terrorist attack to disrupt the poll process. Official sources said Bangladesh and India will discuss trans-border security, cross border trafficking and border management issues during the home minister-level talks slated to be held on April 1.

Bangladesh Minister will arrive in the capital on 31st March and will leave for Dhaka on 2nd April. Asaduzzaman Khan and Rajnath Singh will lead their respective sides to the talks.

The 6th round of home ministerial talks was held in Dhaka in October last year when Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Bangladesh.

The sources further said they might discuss other issues like Rohingya influx into Bangladesh, their repatriation, restriction on visa issuance (except emergency need) before and during the general election in India that begins from April 11.

It's reported in Dhaka press that law and order situation is fast deteriorating in the makeshift refugee camps for the displaced Rohingyas. Indian intelligence agencies have also alerted their counterparts in Bangladesh about a possible influx of some radical groups and illegal arms are also found in the camp. In two occasions Bangladesh police had to fire to disperse the armed groups. In fact, Bangladesh Government has also urged the India Government to take up this refugee crisis with the Myanmar government for speedy repatriation of the displaced person to their homeland.

Last month, Bangladesh foreign minister Dr A K Abdul Momin visited India and gave a new proposal to Indian External Affair Minister for consideration. Their proposal was to create a safe zone for the Rohingyas in the Rakhine Province and that zone should be monitored by both friendly countries like India and China.

So far, the India government has not given any positive response. Bangladesh Home minister is likely to raise the same issue to Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

In this meeting, the opening of a new consulate in southern state Tamil Nadu will get importance. Bangladesh High Commissioner Syed Moazzem Ali had recently visited Chennai to expedite the process. Last year, both countries signed a revised visa protocol.

Officials said both sides will review the progress on this issue and apart from Home minister, Home Secretary, representatives from all security agencies and Indian High Commissioner Riva Das Ganguly will be present for the day-long deliberation.