Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh Police on Monday called for deeper diplomatic security cooperation, intelligence sharing and institutional capacity-building with foreign partners to tackle transnational and emerging crimes, including cybercrime, human trafficking, online gambling, financial crime and AI-enabled offences.
The call was made at the first-ever coordination meeting on “Diplomatic Security Cooperation, Information Sharing and Capacity Building of Bangladesh Police”, held at a Dhaka hotel.
The meeting was chaired by Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir and attended by Senior Home Affairs Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, ambassadors, embassy security officials, representatives of international organisations and senior police officials.
Presenting the keynote paper, Additional DIG Belal Uddin of Police Headquarters said organised crime has become increasingly complex and transnational, involving multiple jurisdictions, cross-border financial transactions and international criminal networks.
He identified violent extremism, cybercrime, digital fraud, terrorist financing, human trafficking, online gambling, AI-enabled crime, deepfakes, misinformation and disinformation as global challenges that require stronger international cooperation.
The paper said Bangladesh Police has developed an international coordination framework through the Overseas Affairs Wing, the National Central Bureau, the UN Operations Wing, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Special Branch, Criminal Investigation Department, Police Bureau of Investigation and the Anti-Terrorism Unit.
It also highlighted the force’s role in UN peacekeeping missions, regional security initiatives, international investigations and diplomatic engagement.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam praised the Diplomatic Security Division of Bangladesh Police for its role in ensuring diplomats’ security. He stressed the need for a specialised unit to protect foreign missions and called for wider cooperation between Bangladesh Police and diplomatic missions.
Senior Home Affairs Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury said ensuring security in the present global context has become almost impossible without close coordination, information sharing and cooperation among countries. He said Bangladesh Police is working with international partners to combat cybercrime, financial crime and other transnational offences.
The IGP said Bangladesh Police is not only responsible for maintaining domestic law and order but is also “a reliable partner” in the global security framework. He said the force’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations since 1989 reflects its commitment to international cooperation.
He said the initiative would create direct links between embassies, foreign organisations and key operational units of Bangladesh Police, allowing faster coordination, better communication and stronger operational support.
The police chief urged all stakeholders to strengthen information sharing and cooperation. Diplomats welcomed the initiative and expressed their commitment to working jointly with Bangladesh Police.