India, Bangladesh discuss border security, maritime cooperation

Border security and maritime cooperation were among the issues that came up for discussion during a meeting between Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and his Bangladeshi counterpart. Md. Shahidul Haque, who is here on a two-day visit from Monday, an official source said here on Tuesday.

The meeting on Monday reviewed the progress made on the decisions that were taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka in June last year. Twenty two agreements were signed between India and Bangladesh during the visit.

"The foreign secretaries emphasised the need for stepping up cooperation between the border security agencies so that no lives are lost along the border," the source said.

The two foreign secretaries also highlighted the need for strong maritime cooperation between the two South Asian neighbours.

"With the decision on the international maritime boundary line being taken, it was suggested that both countries should be more proactive on the issues related to fishermen. The fishermen should be sensitised so that incidents related to straying into each other's waters are minimised," the source said.

The Teesta waters issue also came up for discussion with both sides agreeing to schedule a meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission at the earliest.

The two sides also discussed beginning shipping services at the earliest for the benefit of both Indians and Bangladeshis.

Among the other issues discussed were cooperation in water and power sectors, boosting bilateral trade, improving people-to-people contact and visa facilitation.