`Dhaka, Delhi on the `same page` in fighting terror`

Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said India and Bangladesh are now on the “same page” in the fight against terrorism.

“This is manifested in the excellent co-operation that our security forces enjoy -- whether it is in the form of sharing of information or apprehending criminals,” he said on Wednesday.

Shringla was speaking on “Contemporary India, It’s Foreign Policy and Security Strategy: Implications for Bangladesh” at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Dhaka.

The comment against terrorism came just after US Secretary of State John Kerry’s maiden visit in Dhaka on Monday when he conveyed that Washington stood by Bangladesh in the fight against terror.

Shringla recalled the recent terrorist attacks in Bangladesh and appreciated the role security forces had played in fighting terrorism.

He said destiny of both Bangladesh and India were “inter-linked”. “We are partners in progress and development.”

He also highlighted the bilateral engagements in his long speech and termed the relations as an “example” for others.

“Our relations with Bangladesh today have become a paradigm of success. We wish to replicate with our other neighbours as well."

But he added that this was just the beginning.

“We have a long distance to cover and if we continue to work together we can transform this region into a model of growth and development."

He said India continues to build consensus on the ‘Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism’ at the UN.

India has also called for strengthened efforts to prevent supply of arms to terrorists, disrupt their movements, curb terror financing; secure our cyber space and minimise use of internet and social media for terrorism and radicalisation.

“Bangladesh has also faced some serious challenges from terrorism and is an invaluable partner in our fight against terrorism,” the envoy said.

He said the Indian foreign policy was aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region so that “our energies are focused on development”.

He said India was also pursuing relations with other countries in a manner that “it serves the needs of our people”.

"In order to do so, states need to have a mutual understanding of what constitutes a threat and the willingness to work together to tackle it,” he said, adding that connectivity was at the heart of the ‘neighbourhood first’ policy adopted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“In the context of Bangladesh, it means greater economic integration within the economic sub-region.”

“The thrust of our Act East policy is connectivity with South East Asia. Bangladesh, by virtue of its geographical location, can be a pivot in India’s Act East policy,” he said.

“Not only will this bring advantages to your country, but also enable Bangladesh`s economic integration with South-East Asia.”

Bangladesh also shares a border with five Indian states and can become an “international gateway” of connectivity between India and South East Asia.

Bangladesh, India can transform region

Highlighting all aspects of bilateral relations, the high commissioner said new paradigms of cooperation were emerging in the energy and power sector.

He said energy security is a key foreign policy goal for any country.

“If India and Bangladesh cooperate to the fullest extent in this area, we can transform this region,” he said, adding that there was “tremendous potential and a bright future ahead if we work together.”

Renewable and civil nuclear energy also has the potential to become key elements of energy cooperation, he said as both countries have for the first time connected their power grids.

“In fact, the energy sector is the most dynamic area of cooperation which has become a hallmark of cooperation in South Asia,” he said.

“It is also an area in which the Indian private sector has shown interest, which is an extremely positive sign of growing confidence of economic prospects in Bangladesh.”

Both countries are now discussing a cross-border diesel pipeline. An agreement has also been signed to set up an LPG terminal in Chittagong, the envoy said.