Lok Sabha Question No. 4083 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Anti-India Activities in Foreign Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4083 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17-07-2019

## ANTI-INDIA ACTIVITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES

## 4083. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether   the   Government   has   raised   the   issues   with   the Governments   of   Bangladesh   and   Bhutan   regarding   anti-India activities which are going on from their soil;
- (b) If   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   progress   made   so   far   in   this regard;
- (c) Whether India and Bangladesh have signed any agreement to take joint action against terrorism;
- (d)   If so, the details and salient features thereof; and
- (e) the other measures being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) Bangladesh: There has been excellent coordination and cooperation between the security   and   border   guarding   forces   of   India   and   Bangladesh, particularly in taking action on the anti-India activities on its soil as well as in extradition   cases   and transfer   of   Indian   prisoners   under   the   T ransfer   of Sentenced Persons (TSP) agreement, including deportation of ULFA 'General Secretary' Anup Chetia to India in November 2015. Apart from this, the issues related to security, crime, violent extremism, narcotics, fake currency etc. are regularly taken up with the Government of Bangladesh through various bilateral mechanisms that exist between both the countries, including at the level of Home Minister.

Bhutan: India has extensive engagement with Royal Government of Bhutan through  regular   exchange   of   high-level   visits   and   bilateral   mechanisms   like Secretary-level   Border   Management   and   Security   Meeting,   Border   District Coordination Meetings. All issues of relevance and importance, including security related issues like activities of the Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs), measures to check smuggling etc, are discussed with Bhutan. Royal Government of Bhutan has assured that it  would   not   allow   any   activities   from   its   soil   that   would endanger peace and security of India and has extended full co-operation in this regard to Government of India.

(c) Yes.   On   11   January   2010,   India   and   Bangladesh   signed   a   bilateral agreement on combating international terrorism, organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.

(d) The   text   of   the   above   agreement   between   India   and   Bangladesh stipulates, inter alia, that:

- (i) Both countries will cooperate in their joint fight against terrorism in all its forms and shall exchange information and intelligence on the activities of any terrorist groups and their associates including those providing front or

cover   to   individuals   or   groups   engaged   in   planning,   promoting   or executing acts of terrorism against the parties as well as those which may operate from or use territories of either country.

- (ii) Identifying   and   exchanging   information   on   sources   of   financing   of terrorism which may be located in the territory of either country and take steps to seize and confiscate the sources of financing of terrorism.
- (iii) Following coordinated approach in combating international terrorism.
- (iv) Cooperation in preventing access to arms, explosives, and other prohibited substances for terrorist activities.
- (v) Co-operation   in   intelligence   sharing   between   the   law   enforcement agencies of the the two countries.
- (vi) Providing mutual legal assistance in the investigation, prosecution and suppression of crime including crimes related to terrorism and
- (vii) Exchange and share information about persons involved in narcotic drug trafficking, their modus operandi as well as other relevant details of such crimes.

(e) There are various bilateral mechanisms for discussion on security and border management related issues between the two countries including the Home Secretary Level Talks (HSLT), Director General Level T alks (DGLT) between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB); Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India and the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) of Bangladesh, Joint Task Force on Fake Currency Notes (FCN) and Joint Working Group (JWG) on Security and Border Management. In addition, the bilateral Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) signed in 2011 aims to synergize the efforts of both the border guarding forces for checking cross border illegal activities and crimes as well as for maintenance of peace and tranquility along the   India-Bangladesh   border.   Both   the   countries   discuss   all   security   related issues in the above bilateral mechanisms.

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