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Pakistan, Bangladesh agree on visa-free travel, security concerns for India
A day after Pakistan and Bangladesh approved visa-free entry for officials for unrestricted movement of diplomats between the two countries, putting India on high alert.
The decision was announced after Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladesh's Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury held a high-level meeting in Dhaka. 'A significant breakthrough was achieved on the facilitation of visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and both countries reached a principled agreement on this matter,' Islamabad said in a statement.
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However, no date has been mentioned as to when the visa-free entry for diplomats will be implemented.
According to a report by the Economic Times, India has expressed concern over the move as it could increase the movement of ISI officers, threatening national security along the eastern and northeastern borders.
Sources have told the news outlet that a bigger presence of Pakistani officials in Bangladesh would give more substance to anti-India Islamist groups, leading to greater security risks for the country.
Officials from Pakistan and Bangladesh also held talks on key issues, including counterterrorism, internal security, police training, drug control, and measures to combat human trafficking. A joint committee will be established to oversee and coordinate the implementation of new initiatives.
Both countries agreed to start exchange programs for police academies. A delegation from Bangladesh is expected to visit Pakistan's National Police Academy in Islamabad soon.
Pakistan has formed a joint committee, to be headed by Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, to further boost cooperation with Bangladesh.
A high-level Bangladeshi delegation will soon visit Islamabad to tour the Safe City Project and the National Police Academy.
'Your visit is of great significance for strengthening bilateral relations between our two countries,' Chowdhury said as he conferred a guard of honour to Naqvi.
Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, which remained lukewarm during Sheikh Hasina's tenure, have seen a significant upswing since the interim government took power in Dhaka, marked by increased military-to-military engagements and a sharp rise in bilateral trade.
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