The Hindu : Front Page : Hasina proposes South Asia task force to combat terror

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Hasina proposes South Asia task force to combat terror

Haroon Habib

What is more important is the sincerity to fight menace of terrorism: Pranab

DHAKA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has proposed the formation of a South Asian task force to combat terrorism, in the interest of maintaining greater security for all countries in the region.

She told External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee here on Monday that terrorism and poverty were the two basic issues which had to be resolved through a regional approach. Ms. Hasina also stressed the need for establishing a durable peace in the region.

Responding to Ms. Hasina’s proposal, Mr. Mukherjee, who addressed a joint press conference with his Bangladesh counterpart, Dipu Moni, said: “So far as the concept of regional task force to fight terrorism is concerned, already certain regional and international mechanisms exist. All of us are part of U.N. Security Council resolution... to ban terrorist organisations… What is more important is the sincerity to fight against the menace of terrorism.”

During the talks at Ms. Hasina’s official residence, she and Mr. Mukherjee discussed various issues of bilateral interest. She thanked India for its assistance during the Bangladesh liberation war.

Mr. Mukherjee, who was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, conveyed India’s goodwill to the people of Bangladesh.

Ms. Moni, State Minister Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Home Affairs Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj, Foreign Secretary M. Touhid Hossain were among others present.

Earlier, Mr. Mukherjee and Bangladesh Commerce Minister Col. (retd.) Faruk Khan signed two agreements — bilateral trade and investment promotion and protection — amid criticism by the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami.

The mutual investment promotion and protection agreement will give the most favoured nation status to each country. The other is a renewal of an old deal, originally signed in 1980, which includes a clause dealing with water, rail and road transit. India has for long enjoyed water transport facility through the Bangladesh territory, but the part on road and rail transit has never been activated.

Mr. Mukherjee held talks with Ms. Moni, and held a meeting with Bangladesh Home Minister Sahara Khatoon.

“The entire gamut” of bilateral ties, including security, border management and trade was discussed, Mr. Mukherjee said.

Bangladesh’s assurance

Speaking at the joint press conference, Ms. Moni said Bangladesh assured India that its territory would not be used for terrorism against any country. She said the two had discussed the regional anti-terror task force proposed by Ms. Hasina. “We will discuss modalities with other countries in the region,” she said.

Describing the recent elections in Bangladesh as a “victory for democracy,” Mr. Mukherjee said India “welcomed this development.”

He said: “I also take this opportunity on behalf of the government and people of India to convey our good wishes to the newly formed government in Bangladesh, wish them all success. As a friendly neighbour, India looks forward to working closely with the newly elected government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to further strengthen the ties between both countries.”

Mr. Mukherjee later unveiled the foundation plaque of a new theatre and music department at Dhaka University.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page