On Wednesday, India and Bangladesh engaged in extensive discussions on visas, mutual legal assistance, and extradition cases. The two sides convened in Delhi for the fourth round of the India-Bangladesh Consular Dialogue. During the talks, both nations reiterated their commitment to continuing the promotion of people-to-people exchanges. These discussions are part of a broader effort to enhance bilateral cooperation and strengthen the ties between the two countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement “They held wide-ranging discussions on mechanisms to strengthen coordination and cooperation on consular issues, visa matters, repatriation, MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) and extradition cases, etc."

"The two sides also agreed to further strengthen the bilateral Revised Travel Arrangement (RTA) to facilitate movement of nationals from both sides," it further added in the statement.

The India-Bangladesh consular dialogue mechanism was instituted in 2017 with the aim of strengthening people-to-people contacts between the two nations. This mechanism provides a regular channel of communication to address and resolve various issues related to consular affairs, visas, and mutual legal assistance. By establishing this structured dialogue, both countries aim to facilitate smoother interactions and collaborations, thereby fostering closer ties and cooperation.

"Both sides reiterated their commitment to continue promoting people-to-people exchanges and agreed to hold the next round of the dialogue in Dhaka on a mutually convenient date," the ministry said.

Dr. Aman Puri, Joint Secretary of the Consular-Passport-Visa Division at the ministry, led the Indian delegation at the talks.

The Bangladeshi team was headed by Rokebul Haque, Director General for South Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Image source: Hindustan Times