India, Bangladesh should strengthen counter terrorism cooperation, says Mukherjee

DHAKA - The Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, on Saturday evening stressed on the need to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation between India and Bangladesh and also warned that the insurgents hold the “potential” to affect their bilateral ties.

Mukherjee, who arrived here on a four-hour long visit to sign one billion dollar loan agreement for Bangladesh, also said that India deeply appreciates the efforts of Bangladesh to tackle terrorism, as it was a common concern for the two neighbours.

“We deeply appreciate the efforts of the government of Bangladesh to tackle this menace and we will continue to be closely engaged” for enhanced bilateral security cooperation,

Addressing a news conference held after signing a one billion dollar loan deal for Bangladesh, the largest line of credit received by Dhaka under a single agreement, he identified “security cooperation” to be an area that engaged the attention of both the countries “given our common desire to root out the forces of extremism and terrorism from our midst”.

He also warned that insurgents and insurgent groups “have the potential to affect our relations.” (ANI)