Terrorists still operating from Bangladesh: PM envoy

India on Thursday said terrorists and insurgents continue to operate from Bangladesh despite Hasina Wajid-led government’s efforts to contain them.

The prime minister’s special envoy, Satinder K Lamba told an audience here that while India appreciated the efforts of the Bangladesh government of taking actions against the elements inimical to India, there was a need to do more, including finalising the extradition treaty.

Delivering the keynote address at the ‘Fourth India-Bangladesh Security Dialogue’ organised by observer research foundation (ORF), he said, “There is a need to sustain the current levels of cooperation to jointly eradicate the menace of insurgency, terrorism and militancy from our soil.”

Lamba said some of the terrorist groups and their associated agencies continue to have their hideouts and the network of fake Indian currency notes in Bangladesh.

Noting that three security related agreements have already been signed between the countries, he hoped that the extradition treaty will be finalised soon to complete the process of putting in place the framework for cooperation on security related matters.

Lamba pointed out that due to the porous nature of the India-Bangladesh border, there has been considerable cross-border criminal activity, including illegal trade in arms and explosives, counterfeit currency, trafficking in narcotics and trafficking of women and children.

“These problems pose a threat to the social and economic well-being of both India and Bangladesh,” he said.