The story of Osama Bin Laden has come to an end after a military operation carried out by the United States in Pakistan. Now, all major powers, including the United States and India, are exerting pressure on Pakistan to take action against the perpetrators of the 26 November 2008 incident (terrorists strikes in Mumbai) and strictly adhere to its assurance that it would not let its territory used by terrorists to carry out anti India activities. No categorical response has come from Pakistan on it, so far.
Under these circumstances, the assurance given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid of Bangladesh to cooperate fully with India against terrorism, assumes greater significance because Bangladesh is one such neighbor, the territory of which may be used by the terrorists against India.
Better Cooperation
Sheikh Hasina has assured Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari, who is on a visit to Bangladesh, that she would not allow Bangladeshi territory to be used for terrorist activities against India and would extend full support to India in its war on terror. In fact, India has received better cooperation from Bangladesh against terrorism earlier, than from Pakistan. It is despite the reported information that several terrorist organizations and outfits, like the Harkatul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI), and the insurgent groups active in the Northeastern region in India, have turned Bangladesh into their safe haven. There are also reports that several terrorists and insurgent of groups like the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) are hiding in Bangladesh. Despite it, it is equally true that Bangladesh never gave them the liberty to function as Pakistan did. During the Sheikh Hasina era, in particular, an air of confidence has been created between India and Bangladesh and mutual cooperation between the two has increased.
Reiteration of Mutual Trust
The assurance given to Ansari is based on traditional mutual relations and is a reiteration of mutual trust and cooperation. Ansari fearlessly expressed India's concern in the presence of Sheikh Hasina and emphasized the need of mutual cooperation. It makes it clear that India does not expect Bangladesh to be indifferent to terrorism like Pakistan, which is not prepared to take any action against terrorists based in that country. India expects Bangladesh to rein in HuJI, ULFA, and other such insurgent outfits.
It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may also visit Bangladesh and the issue of terrorism would be on the top of the agenda of talks with the Bangladesh leadership. Three agreements with regard to dealing with terrorism already are in existence. India also wants Bangladesh to sign an extradition treaty. India feels that such a treaty is needed to extradite ULFA head Anup Setia to India. True that no worthwhile progress has been made on the issue during the current visit by the vice president yet, it cannot be ignored. That the assurance given by Sheikh Hasina is in unison with India's stand against terrorism.
Under these circumstances, the assurance given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid of Bangladesh to cooperate fully with India against terrorism, assumes greater significance because Bangladesh is one such neighbor, the territory of which may be used by the terrorists against India.
Better Cooperation
Sheikh Hasina has assured Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari, who is on a visit to Bangladesh, that she would not allow Bangladeshi territory to be used for terrorist activities against India and would extend full support to India in its war on terror. In fact, India has received better cooperation from Bangladesh against terrorism earlier, than from Pakistan. It is despite the reported information that several terrorist organizations and outfits, like the Harkatul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI), and the insurgent groups active in the Northeastern region in India, have turned Bangladesh into their safe haven. There are also reports that several terrorists and insurgent of groups like the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) are hiding in Bangladesh. Despite it, it is equally true that Bangladesh never gave them the liberty to function as Pakistan did. During the Sheikh Hasina era, in particular, an air of confidence has been created between India and Bangladesh and mutual cooperation between the two has increased.
Reiteration of Mutual Trust
The assurance given to Ansari is based on traditional mutual relations and is a reiteration of mutual trust and cooperation. Ansari fearlessly expressed India's concern in the presence of Sheikh Hasina and emphasized the need of mutual cooperation. It makes it clear that India does not expect Bangladesh to be indifferent to terrorism like Pakistan, which is not prepared to take any action against terrorists based in that country. India expects Bangladesh to rein in HuJI, ULFA, and other such insurgent outfits.
It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may also visit Bangladesh and the issue of terrorism would be on the top of the agenda of talks with the Bangladesh leadership. Three agreements with regard to dealing with terrorism already are in existence. India also wants Bangladesh to sign an extradition treaty. India feels that such a treaty is needed to extradite ULFA head Anup Setia to India. True that no worthwhile progress has been made on the issue during the current visit by the vice president yet, it cannot be ignored. That the assurance given by Sheikh Hasina is in unison with India's stand against terrorism.
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