Dhaka, May 11 -- Bangladesh has pledged a "zero tolerance" approach to irregular migration following the recent deaths of Bangladeshi migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea on the perilous Libya-Italy route, as officials warned that Europe's asylum rules are set to become significantly tougher from next year.

The warning came during a high-level meeting on migration and mobility held at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka on Monday at the initiative of the foreign ministry, amid mounting concern over the growing number of Bangladeshis risking dangerous sea journeys in search of work and residence in Europe.

The meeting, chaired by state minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed Islam, brought together senior government offic...