India-Bangladesh finalise prisoner exchange, two more treaties

India and Bangladesh today finalised three key agreements, including transfer of prisoners, to be signed when prime minister Sheikh Hasina arrives here later this month.

Treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Transfer of Prisoners and Bilateral Agreement on Combating International Terrorism have been finalised at the home secretary-level talks between India and Bangladesh here.

"All the three treaties will be signed during the visit of prime minister Sheikh Hasina to India," a home ministry official said.

Hasina will arrive here on December 18 for a three-day state visit.

The agreements will help India to get access to Northeast insurgents and other terrorists who are engaged in anti-India activities and operating from Bangladeshi soil.

During the home secretary-level talks, the two sides deliberated on security related issues such as action against militant/insurgent groups/leaders, early activation of designated nodal points for sharing of information and modalities for follow up action.

Action on Red Corner Notices through enhanced interaction between the Interpol Designated Points, smuggling of arms, ammunitions and fake currency notes, control of illicit drug trafficking, border management related issues like fencing along the border were discussed at the meeting.

Indian side is headed by home secretary GK Pillai whereas his Bangladesh counterpart Abdus Sabhan Sikder is leading the visiting delegation.

The two sides will come out with a joint statement on December 2 after the end of the three-day talks.