Bangladesh-India

twitter.com/DrSJaishankar S Jaishankar (left) and AK Abdul Momen at the press briefing

Criminal activities leading to border killings: S Jaishankar

"I think we have agreed that any death is tragic. But we have to ask ourselves why the problem is happening. And we know what the problem is. The problem is crime. So we should have a common goal," Jaishankar said in response to a reporter's question about the border killings. "Crime-free and death-free borders. I'm sure if we can do it, crime-free and death-free borders, we can solve this problem together."

He added, "What we call border killings is basically a lot of deaths inside India. The foreign minister (Momen) and I have discussed the issue, the way it needs to be discussed with neighbors and friends."

Replying to a question on the timing of the Teesta water sharing agreement, the Indian foreign minister said, "We have discussed the issue. We have a meeting of our secretaries soon. I am sure they will continue the discussion. I think you know the position of the Indian government on this, it has not changed."

Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Thursday morning to finalize the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence. He had a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at the state guest house Padma around 11:30 pm. He took part in a joint press conference after the meeting lasted about an hour and a half.

After a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at 4 pm, the Indian Foreign Minister attended a function in Gulshan. A new Indian Cultural Center was inaugurated at the old High Commission building there.

He then concluded the day-long program by attending a function at the present Indian High Commission.

He left Bangabandhu Airport in Tejgaon for the country on a special flight around 9:30 pm on Thursday, the Indian High Commission said.