India wants security before Dhaka train run

As the date of the start of the Kolkata-Dhaka Maitrayee Express train service remains undecided, India today said it wanted to ensure foolproof security before the date was agreed upon.

"We have experience in the vulnerability of cross-border train services. Rather that start the service in a hurry, we want to ensure complete security safeguards," Additional Secretary (Border Management) in the Ministry of Home Affairs EA Ahmad told reporters after talks with a Bangladesh delegation led by the Additional Secretary in the Communications Ministry, ATKM Ismail.

India and Bangladesh, however, today agreed on matters like the train's name, its composition, the number of crew members and their areas of operation, he said, adding that issues like Customs and the frequency of trains still remained unresolved.

Pointing out that home secretary-level talks between the two countries was scheduled in Delhi on August one, he hinted that the remaining issues were likely to be ironed out at the meeting.