NEW DELHI, Aug 30 � Following a fresh controversy over raising of illegal migrants� issue with the neighbouring country, the Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that the illegal influx from Bangladesh is regularly discussed at relevant bilateral meetings.
The downplaying of the vexed issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh by New Delhi has come to haunt the Centre ever since Foreign MinIster of Bangladesh Dipu Moni said in a TV interview that India is yet to take up the issue with them.
The issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh is regularly discussed at relevant bilateral meetings, including the Joint Working Group on Security, Director General-level talks between the two border guarding forces and Home Secretary-level talks and even at the Home Minister-level consultations, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed said in a Rajya Sabha reply to a question by Kumar Deepak Das.
India and Bangladesh have put in place mechanisms, including Coordinated Border Management plan signed last July, to address issues arising from illegal border crossings and incidents on the border. The two sides are also cooperating in identifying vulnerable patches along the border and taking appropriate steps to prevent illegal activities including illegal movement across the border.
