The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

India Thursday sought greater cooperation from Bangladesh in security matters as New Delhi found some connectivity of some terrorists groups between here and India causing certain security breaches.

"We will be seeking greater cooperation so both the countries can fight effectively against terrorists," Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty told reporters after a meeting with Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhgury.

Pinak's remarks came ahead of Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultations at the level of Foreign secretaries to be held in Delhi on July 17.

Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain will lead the Bangladesh delegation at the two-day talks.

Asked if the terrorists groups could be identified, the High

Commissioner said, "Of course we have fairly good idea. Even we've their telephone numbers."

The envoy would not name the groups as he said, "This is a confidential matter. We want more cooperation. It is not good to have bomb blasts despite on-going cooperation. So, we need prevention of such acts through exchange of information between the two security forces."

In reply to a question, Pinak said New Delhi is prepared to cooperate as much as Bangladesh required in terms of exchange of information and technical know-how. He said there are already some exchanges of information but it can be made faster.

Asked if he sought repatriation of ULFA leader Anup Chetia detained in Bangladesh, the High Commissioner said India has unilaterally repatriated some wanted Bangladeshis hiding in Kolkata.

"We also want to get back some people from Bangladesh," he said, adding that apart from Anup Chetia some others names are also on the list that was given to the Bangladesh government.

He hoped that Bangladesh authorities would detain them and hand over to India.

Asked whether the issue of transit would come up at the Foreign Office Consultations, Pinak said India has been discussing the matter at all forums as "we are interested in transit. We believe it's purely an economic issue, not a political issue at all. But here it is made a political issue though I don't see any reason for that."

Pinak however dismissed the idea that India has set any timeframe to get the transit facility from Bangladesh.

Asked about the issues to be tabled at the Foreign Secretary level talks, he said there are some economic issues, water management through construction of embankments and dredging in border rivers and demarcation of maritime boundary so there is no overlapping of the interest of the two countries.

Pinak said India wants opening of more border stations if possible to expedite the cross-border trade which is increasing. "Besides, we like to see more frequency of bus and train services by sorting out some existing problems".

About an Indian plan to reconstruct some housing in the Sidr affected areas, the High Commissioner said it is at the final stage and the company for doing that has been selected. He said the construction work will start as soon as the funds are sanctioned by the Indian government.

On export of rice to Bangladesh under the previously signed deal between the two countries, Pinak admitted that the rice is coming to Bangladesh but the slow pace is because of procurement problems and rules and regulations in some of the Indian states.