By NNN-Bernama,
New Delhi : After signing three pacts to combat terrorism and organised crime, India and Bangladesh are working on an Extradition Treaty, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina said here on Wednesday with an assertion that her government would go to “any extent” in cooperating against the menace, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Winding up her three-day successful India visit, she said the two countries need to stand against terrorism and can work together in this in a “friendly atmosphere”.
“For Extradition Treaty, discussions are going on…. We have signed three agreements. Side by side, discussions are going on the Extradition Treaty,” Hasina told journalists here.
“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 firmed up but Foreign Minister Dipu Moni later said it could be concluded shortly given the friendly relations.
For the time being, she said the three pacts signed on Monday were “enough” to work together in combating terrorism.
The pacts signed are 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 United Liberation Front of Asom (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 front. “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.
To a question, she said if “any obstacles or problems” are encountered in the anti-terror cooperation under the three agreements signed, “we 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.