Bangladesh to be host to regional counter terrorism centre

A EU envoy said here today that Bangladesh is set to be the host of the proposed regional counter-terrorism centre that will be established with European support.

"India and Pakistan have agreed that Bangladesh could be the host of the centre," European Union (EU) ambassador Stefan Frowein told newsmen after envoys of 9 European nations and the EU held a meeting with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at her office.

Frowein said the centre would be the focal point for exchange of expertise and ideas and a hub for providing training on combat against terrorism.

Counter-terrorism experts from Europe recently visited Bangladesh to fix the modus operandi of the institute.

No comments from the foreign ministry were immediately available. Dhaka had earlier suggested formation of a South Asian task force to fight militancy in line with the ruling Awami League's election manifesto.

The idea, however, was believed to have got a lukewarm response from New Delhi as India and other regional stakeholders tended to work on the issue on bilateral basis.

During a visit to Dhaka in August this year, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said India "deeply appreciates" Bangladesh's efforts to tackle terrorism as the menace was a common concern of the two neighbours and had "potentials" to affect Dhaka-New Delhi ties.

"We deeply appreciate the efforts of the government of Bangladesh to tackle this menace and we will continue to be closely engaged" for enhanced security cooperation between Bangladesh and India, he had said.

Bangladesh and India had signed three agreements on terrorism and cross border crimes along with agreement on mutual legal assistance and transfer of sentenced persons during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India tour in January this year.