After signing three pacts to combat terrorism and organised crime, India and Bangladesh are working on an Extradition Treaty, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asserted on Wednesday. The Bangladesh premier added that her government would go to “any extent” curb the menace, in cooperation with India.
Winding up her three-day India visit, she said the two countries need to stand against terrorism and can work together in a “friendly atmosphere”.
“Regarding the Extradition Treaty, discussions are going on. We have signed three agreements,” Hasina said.
“To end terrorism, we want to cooperate. We can go to any extent to cooperate,” she said while reiterating that Bangladesh will not allow its soil to be used for any terrorist activity directed at India.
Hasina did not specify how soon the Extradition Treaty could be in place, but Foreign Minister Dipu Moni later said it could be concluded shortly given the friendly relations between the countries.
For the time being, she said the three pacts signed on Monday were “enough” to work on together in combating terrorism.
The pacts signed are the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Agreement on Combating International Terrorism, Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
To a specific question on whether Bangladesh would hand over ULFA leader Anup Chetia, who is wanted in India, Hasina evaded a direct reply, saying she was not here to “discuss one name” but broader issues.
To a question about ULFA cadres taking shelter in Bangladesh, Hasina shot back, “many terrorists from our country are also living in India. It is a common thing.”
She said the two countries should cooperate on this issue. “If anybody from Bangladesh is in India, India should look into it and if anybody from India is in Bangladesh, we will look into it,” the Prime Minister said.
She said if “any obstacles or problems” are encountered in the anti-terror cooperation under the three agreements signed, the two countries "can discuss“.
Expressing her determination to fight terrorism, Hasina said she herself was a victim of the menace, having lost her entire family to it and survived attempts on her life.
“Terrorists are terrorists. They have no religion, no country. They are giving a bad name to Islam. Islam is religion of peace,” she said, adding there was need for cooperation for peace in the region.
She refused to reply to a query about terrorism finding support in Pakistan, and whether that country seemed to be sincere in fighting terrorism for peace in the region.
However, she added that since democratic governments were in place everywhere in the region, the countries could cooperate better in fight against terror.
To a query on anti-India mindset in Bangladesh, Hasina said that “perhaps that may remain. I cannot change that.
But common people want better lives and if results are achieved (in India-Bangladesh cooperation), these sentiments will not work.”
