India, Bangladesh to Sign Security, Energy Pacts After Talks

Hasina’s visit promises to be “a path-breaking” one and gives both countries an opportunity to forge a “new and forward-looking” relationship, India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said in a statement.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Hasina, who took office last January, will also discuss power generation, trade, investment and cooperation in building infrastructure. India’s claims that separatists fighting in its northeast use bases in Bangladesh, will push security concerns up the agenda.

The two countries, which share a 4,053-kilometer (2,519- mile) border, are expected to sign accords on the transfer of sentenced prisoners, combating internal terrorism, and fighting organized crime and illegal drug trafficking, Rao said.

(...) India hopes that during the visit its security concerns will be addressed. “We will also seek their understanding and cooperation on our security and connectivity needs,” Rao said.

The countries on Aug. 25 last year exchanged lists of terror suspects who were on the run. The Bangladesh Rifles supplied a list of 1,464 people wanted as criminals and India provided the names of 263 suspects.