The signing of a memorandum of understanding for the setting up of Information Technology centres in Bangladesh is expected to be announced during the two-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi beginning June 6. Apart from imparting training to the Bangladesh police forces in the use of modern technologies, it is learnt that the centres would operate as a hub for intelligence gathering and detecting cyber-based offences, including terror activities and intrusions.

The plan for establishing the IT centres took shape during the visit of an Indian delegation of senior government officials to Bangladesh last year. In a joint statement on the first meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission in May 2012, India had announced to set up IT labs in 64 model schools and IT centres at the Military Institute for Science & Technology, Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre and Bangladesh Police Academy.

“Both countries have been working in close coordination, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism and cross-border organised crimes. It is one of the initiatives on our part to further strengthen the security infrastructure of our friendly neighbour,” said a government official.

A recent example of the increased level of cooperation between the two countries in security affairs is information exchange on the Bardhaman blast case being probed by the National Investigation Agency in India. “A close coordination between the security agencies on both sides has led to several arrests,”

As part of the agreement, Indian agencies would assist their Bangladeshi counterparts in constructing buildings from where the IT centres would function. They are also expected to provide the necessary equipment for the centres. According to sources, the government plans to rope in cyber experts from various enforcement agencies to impart training to Bangladeshi security forces.