Boost security, economic cooperation

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali has called on BIMSTEC nations to enhance their security cooperation to "defeat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations", reports UNB.

He was speaking at a panel discussion in New Delhi with heads of mission from BIMSTEC-member states in India on Monday ahead of the fourth BIMSTEC summit to be held in Kathmandu on August 30-31, according to a message received from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to attend the summit of the 21-year-old regional grouping that comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Referring to Sheikh Hasina's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and violent extremism, Syed Muazzem Ali said Bangladesh's land is off-limits to any terrorist activities.

Bangladesh, he said, does not allow any terrorist group to launch attack against India or any other neighbouring country.

The envoy said security cooperation among BIMSTEC countries has increased.

"I firmly believe that within BIMSTEC, we should be able to strengthen our cooperation to address terrorism and rise of violent extremism," he said.

Syed Muazzem Ali said the foreign policy initiatives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government are focused on building stronger regional economic and technical cooperation.

Bangladesh sees BIMSTEC forum as a tool for economic development through regional integration, he added.