By Nazrul Islam

Dhaka, Feb 19 : India and Bangladesh on Monday agreed to launch joint efforts to combat terrorism that poses serious threat to social and economic development from local to international levels.

"Both sides have agreed to jointly combat terrorism, which today poses the most grave challenge to our society and threatens the rapid economic development our nations," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters at Zia International Airport prior to his departure to New Delhi after his brief visit to Dhaka.

Mukherjee, who came to Dhaka to extend Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's invitation to Bangladesh authorities, said that Bangladesh also offered early implementation of Dhaka-Kolkata passenger train service.

On being asked about his reactions on the twin blasts on the Attari-bound train, which connects to Samjhauta Express for Lahore, Mukherjee said, "Terrorists always try to hamper the peace process, and we should not fell prey to what is happening."

Pranab arrived in Dhaka today morning and departed for India in the evening.

During his stay, the External Affairs Minister called on President Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser to the interim administration Fakhruddin Ahmed, Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed, and two former Prime Ministers -Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh Awami League party.

Briefing newsmen, he said his meeting with Bangladesh leadership was fruitful. In response to Manmohan Singh's invitation, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser expressed his eagerness to attend the 14th summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation, scheduled to be held between April 3-4 in New Delhi.

"I had detailed discussion with the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed. He has graciously agreed to attend the SAARC summit," Pranab said.

He said India attaches high importance in its relations with Bangladesh.

During his meeting with the Chief Adviser and the Foreign Affairs Adviser, Mukherjee said, the discussion centred on bilateral relations and the forthcoming SAARC summit.

"The context of bilateral relations, both sides agreed to take steps to place bilateral relations on an irreversible higher trajectory," he added.

He announced that India would grant duty free access to import of two million pieces of readymade garments from Bangladesh.

On the other hand, the issue of restrictions being placed on import of cosmetics from Bangladesh has also been resolved, he said.

On the matters of SAARC, the discussion focused on ensuring the success of the summit and early and full implementation of the South Asian Free Trade Area agreement (SAFTA).

He said Bangladesh and India laid emphasis on better connectivity among SAARC countries, and India and Bangladesh as well.

The two countries also agreed on the establishment of South Asia University as a centre of excellence.

On his arrival, Mukherjee was received at the airport by senior officials of the caretaker administration and the officials from the Indian High commission in Dhaka.

During his one-day visit, he also paid tribute to the martyrs of Bangladesh's mother language movement.