India-BD talks to sharpen focus on illegal immigration

Devising ways to curb illegal migration will come into focus of the upcoming home ministry-level talks between Bangladesh and India.

"The present Indian government is very sensitive to the illegal migration issue, so we are expecting the issue will be a key one," a senior official familiar with the matter said.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan will be in Delhi on August 7 to hold the bilateral talks with Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, who took over the ministry two months ago.

Shah, known as one of the architects of the ruling BJP's landslide victory in the recent general elections, has always been very vocal about the illegal migration issue.

Bangladesh will raise issues related to border killings by BSF, smuggling in narcotics and arms and cooperation in combating terrorism.

The possibility of rise in radicalism among the Rohingya refugees who took shelter in Bangladesh might come up for discussion an official said.

Top internal security officials of India and Bangladesh will attend the delegation-level talks.

In the delegation-level dialogue, steps to be taken to strengthen the existing mechanism to check movement of illegal immigrants and smuggling through the porous India-Bangladesh border will also figure prominently, officials said.

The talks will also feature a joint border patrol mechanism and upgradation of the immigration check posts.