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India and Bangladesh discuss security issues

India would like greater cooperation from neighboring Muslim-majority Bangladesh on security issues, its ambassador said on Thursday.

  • AP
  • Published: 15:21 July 10, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dhaka: India would like greater cooperation from neighbouring Muslim-majority Bangladesh on security issues, its ambassador said on Thursday.

"We will be seeking greater cooperation so both the countries can fight effectively against terrorists," Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty said.

He made the comment after talks with Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, a former envoy to the UN who is now foreign affairs adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, to discuss bilateral issues ahead of a July 17 meeting of top foreign ministry officials in the Indian capital.

India wants to be able to easily reach its far northeastern region through Bangladesh, which in turn wants better access for its goods in the Indian market. India also wants the repatriation of a top insurgent now facing a jail term in Bangladesh.

"We are interested in transit. We believe it's purely an economic issue, not a political issue at all," Chakravarty said. He said India would like to open more border stations to expedite trade between two countries.

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