India proposes regional convention on terrorism

In the meeting, India is learnt to have proposed for a comprehensive regional convention on terrorism issue under the BIMSTEC, officials here told the BDNEWS.

At present, there is a convention under the Saarc named Saarc Convention on Suppression of Terrorism, which was formed in 1987 in a bid to combat terrorism regionally.

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An additional protocol on the convention was framed under the Saarc in 2004.

"Since Thailand and Myanmar are not the members of Saarc, another convention is needed under the BIMSTEC to combat the most burning issues of terrorism, its financing, drug peddling and trafficking," said the official.

Three officials from foreign, home and law ministries are representing Bangladesh at the meeting.

Meanwhile, preparations are on to hold the three-day ministerial meeting of the BIMSTEC to be held in Dhaka on December 18-20, official sources at the foreign ministry said.

During the meeting, Bangladesh is going to assume the chair of the BIMSTEC.

The idea of the BIMSTEC was first mooted by Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand at a meeting in Bangkok in June 1997.

The aim, purpose and principles are contained in Bangkok Declaration adopted on June 6 in 1997 on the Establishment of the Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation (BIST-EC).

At the special ministerial meeting convened in Bangkok on December 22 in 1997, the Union of Myanmar was admitted to the grouping where it was decided to rename it as BIMST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation).

At the ministerial meeting in February 2004, Bhutan and Nepal were welcomed as new members.