Indo-Bangla army chiefs agree on need for exchange of stranded fishermen

Bangladesh and India yesterday agreed on expeditious repatriation of their fishermen who stray unwittingly into each other's territorial waters.

The decision was made when visiting Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff Gen Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq met Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed various issues, including fishermen of the two countries drifting into each other's territorial waters.

It was agreed that the return of such people to their respective countries should be speeded up, an official statement said.

Rajnath appreciated the cordial implementation of the Land Boundary Agreement between the two countries.

On the issue of erstwhile enclave dwellers who want to shift to India by disposing of their immovable property, it was pointed out by the Bangladesh delegation that the joint working group of the two countries was dealing with the matter, it said.

Such people would be helped by the respective deputy commissioners to enable them to sell their immovable property at remunerative market prices, it added.

Rajnath told Shafiul Huq that the age-old strong relations between the two countries are based on mutual understanding and confidence. The countries are able to resolve issues amicably and the cultural and socio-economic relations are growing rapidly, he said.

Indian Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Secretary (Border Management) Anoop Kumar Srivastava, senior officers of the home ministry and Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi were also present.