Bangladesh, Vietnam agree to boost security ties against irregular migration, human trafficking

Dhaka: Bangladesh and Vietnam have agreed to deepen cooperation in security and law enforcement, placing renewed emphasis on tackling human trafficking, irregular migration, and other forms of transnational crime.

The commitment came during a bilateral meeting between Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Public Security, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on July 7, according to a Home Ministry press release.

During the meeting, the two sides pledged to strengthen collaboration in security, law enforcement, trade, investment, and connectivity while stepping up coordinated efforts to combat human trafficking and illegal migration.

Congratulating Vietnam on the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the formation of its new government, Salahuddin said Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is keen to elevate bilateral ties at the bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels.

The home minister described Vietnam as a trusted partner, recalling that the two countries established diplomatic relations on February 11, 1973. He noted that cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges has expanded steadily in recent years.

Visa issues and the repatriation of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals also featured prominently in the discussions. Salahuddin urged Vietnam to ease visa procedures for genuine Bangladeshi tourists, business travelers, skilled professionals, and family visa applicants and sought Hanoi's cooperation in facilitating the return of irregular Bangladeshi migrants.

Stressing the need for closer institutional collaboration, he called for enhanced coordination between the law enforcement agencies of both countries to curb human trafficking, drug trafficking, and other cross-border criminal activities.

On the economic front, Salahuddin noted that bilateral trade has exceeded USD 1 billion and expressed optimism that the proposed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) would significantly expand trade in the coming years.

He also thanked Vietnam for opening its market to Bangladeshi potatoes and requested wider access for internationally certified pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh.

Inviting Vietnamese investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh, the minister highlighted the country's favorable investment environment. He also sought Vietnam's support for Bangladesh's efforts to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner and to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The Vietnamese delegation assured Bangladesh that its proposals would be given due consideration and expressed confidence that the longstanding friendship and growing partnership between the two countries would continue to strengthen.