NEW DELHI, Aug 4: India and Bangladesh have promised “swift action” against insurgents taking shelter in each other's countries, citing terrorism as a “common threat.” The South Asian neighbours have in the past accused each other of harbouring terrorists and criminals who stage cross-border attacks, an issue that has strained normally cordial ties.

“The use of the territory of either country will not be allowed for terrorist and criminal activities against the other country,” said a statement issued in the Indian capital late Friday by the two countries.

It described terrorism as a “common threat” and promised to step up cooperation and information-sharing, following two days of talks between Indian Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Abdul Karim, in New Delhi.

Gupta said Karim brought a clear message from Bangladesh's military-backed government that it wanted a spirit of mutual “trust and understanding.” Bangladesh has been under emergency rule since January when the government took power after months of violence over disputed elections.—AFP