NEW DELHI: In a strong message, India and Bangladesh on Saturday called for strong action against States and entities which encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuaries to terror networks and falsely extol their virtues.
During their talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, called upon the international community to end selective approaches to combat terrorism and emphasised that there should no glorification of terrorists as martyrs, seen as an apparent reference to Pakistan.
Recognising terrorism as one of the most significant threats to peace and stability in the region, the two prime ministers reiterated their strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
In this regard, they also called for the early finalisation and adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the United Nations. “The fight against terrorism should not only seek to disrupt and eliminate terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but should also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against States and entities which encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and falsely extol their virtues,” the joint statement said.
The two leaders also condemned the recent “barbaric terror attacks” in India and Bangladesh and called for urgent measures to counter and prevent spread of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation in the region and beyond.
They also expressed determination to take concrete measures to further step up cooperation and coordination among intelligence and security agencies of both countries.
Modi and Hasina reiterated their commitment to ensure that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the other. They also underscored the need for effective operationalisation of the bilateral Extradition Treaty.
Modi and Hasina felt that effective implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) would enable better border management to jointly manage the identified vulnerable areas, irregular movement and incidents of violence along the border.
“Both Prime Ministers reiterated that the number of deaths at the border must be brought down to zero and directed the concerned authorities to work towards that end,” said the joint statement.
Both sides agreed that next meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission will take place this year in Dhaka. (PTI)
