Menon says Indo-Bangladesh talks useful

Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Touhid Hossain met here today after which Menon said the talks were useful for mutual interests.

New Delhi, July 17 : Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Touhid Hossain met here today after which Menon said the talks were useful for mutual interests.

The two Foreign Secretaries in their day-long talk discussed various issues including state security, boarder management, water resources, including sharing of common river waters, economic and trade related issues, cooperation in agriculture, science and technology.

"From our point of view I think the discussions were very useful. They led to greater understanding of each other's concerns and interests. We are convinced that our security is interlinked and terrorism will have to be tackled resolutely. We also exchanged views on how to deal with some of the humanitarian aspects of the water resources issues for instance. And we plan to enhance cooperation in agriculture, science and technology," said Menon.

Hossain stressed that major issue discussed during their meeting was the water issue relating to embankment protection of the rivers.

"I would like to mention here one small thing that on the water issue we have agreed that the technical committee should sit and resolve the issue of the embankment protection of the rivers which is harming the people of both the sides of the border and we hope that very soon they will sit and resolve the issue," said Hossain.

During the previous meeting in Dhaka, the two sides agreed to enhance security cooperation, especially information sharing to combat terrorism, crimes and insurgency in the common interest of peace and security.

ANI