Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether Joint Consultative Meeting (JCM) between India and Bangladesh held recently;

(b) if so, the details of the agenda and outcome of the discussion between two countries; and

(c) whether India seriously pursued its concern regarding security and other aspects?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) to (c) The second meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) was held in Dhaka on 16 February 2013. The Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister Shri Salman Khurshid and the Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni.

The Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including trade and investment, security, connectivity, border management, water, power, shipping, renewable energy, development cooperation, art and culture, people to people exchanges and human resource development.

The two Ministers, inter alia, expressed satisfaction at the recent meetings on security cooperation held at different levels, namely, Home Ministers, Home Secretaries, Joint Working Group on Security and Directors-General of the Border Security Force and Border Guards Bangladesh. They welcomed the signing of the Extradition Treaty during the visit of the Home Minister of India to Dhaka in January 2013 and hoped that this would further facilitate cooperation on security related matters between the two countries. The External Affairs Minister of India reiterated the appreciation of the Government of India for the cooperation extended by Bangladesh on security related matters. Both sides reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Three documents, namely, MOU on Akhaura-Agartala rail link, MOU regarding India-Bangladesh Foundation and a Protocol to Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement were signed during the 2nd JCC meeting. A copy of the Joint Statement issued on the occasion of the JCC meeting is enclosed.

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