India, Bangladesh officials to meet soon to tackle fake currency notes problem

NEW DELHI: Senior officials of India and Bangladesh are expected to meet soon to set in motion the implementation of an agreement aimed at checking production, smuggling and circulation of fake currency notes.

The pact was signed during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh on June 6-7.

Both the countries have identified as high priority for cooperating in tackling the routing of fake currency notes between India and Bangladesh, exchange of knowledge, institutional cooperation, including capacity building, investigation requirements and operational efficiency.

"A meeting will soon be held to carry forward the agreement further," an official said.

However, no date has been fixed for the meeting.

As part of the agreement, New Delhi and Dhaka have agreed to exchange information including details of persons involved in smuggling in fake currency notes to enable law enforcement and investigation agencies to carry out expeditious preventive and penal action under their respective domestic laws.

The pact envisages "training of personnel involved in both India and Bangladesh for curbing the menace of fake currency notes, including identification of fake currency notes, exchange of information, documentation and results of research and information on the production, smuggling and circulation of fake currency notes."

India and Bangladesh also agreed to provide mutual legal assistance in the identification and seizure of the instruments and proceeds of fake currency notes and its related crimes, including identification and seizure of assets acquired with the proceeds of offence covered under the pact.