AGARTALA, Aug 26 (TIWN): Former secretary (security) A B Mathur says Pakistan is a common threat for India and Bangladesh. Speaking to TIWN in an exclusive interview, the legendary spymaster said Pakistan has not come to terms with the tragedy of 1971. "Germany has got over Hitler, but Pakistan cant get over the horrenous atrocities they perpetrated in 1971 in what was then the eastern wing of Pakistan. "They still defend the 1971 war criminals and they interfere in the internal affairs of Bangladesh. Understandably, Bangladesh is upset ," said Mathur, now in Agartala as the keynote speaker in the 3rd Tripura Conclave. Mathur said Pakistan's ISI is the 'single largest source of patronage for jihadis in India and Bangladesh and also ethnic insurgents . "They want to avenge 1971 and so want to destabilise both India and Bangladesh. We are their common enemies," Mathur said.

Mathur , who has served in Indian embassy in Pakistan, said : "The military establishment in India hate India but they also look down upon Bangladesh. This false sense of superiority is getting Pakistan nowhjere. Bangladesh is growing fast as an economy, while Pakistan is turning into a failed state." He said India and Bangladesh will grow together because Mathur played a vital role in bringing out the MNF and the TNV insurgents in northeastern India and a stellar role in many other top secret operations in his long 28 years with IB and RAW. 

He is very close to National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and a member of the National Security Advisory Board.

Among those attending the Tripura Conclave in Cross-border Terrorism areNurul Absar, senior director at the Bangladesh prime minister's office , Pallab Bhattacharyya , head of Assam police intelligence, top security expert Jaideep Saikia and top officials of central intelligence, BSF, Assam Rifles and other para-military units.