ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: Bangladesh Commerce Minister Air Vice Marshal (retired) Altaf Hossain Chowdhry on Saturday dispelled the impression that his country was intentionally not stopping anti-India militants from crossing into India's revolt- hit northeast.

The minister stated this while responding to a query regarding the inability of the Saarc to work efficiently for greater economic cooperation in South Asia amid continuous allegations and counter allegations of infiltration by various Saarc member countries including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan in one another's territories.

Mr Chawdhry said: "Neither Bangladesh allows its land to be used against India nor India would do so against Bangladesh". Bangladesh and India shared a border of over 4000 kilometres spread over water, mountains and forests etc which is porous, and, it is virtually impossible for Bangladesh to control some "criminals" from crossing over into India.

"But, we have criminals in our country and not terrorists," Mr Chawdhry said. Talking about the fourth Saarc commerce ministers meeting and its outcome, he said he was hopeful and the outcome was satisfactory as all the member countries had agreed to work on a joint agenda for meeting some common challenges.