Dhaka, May 12 -- 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 warn 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 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.

Chaired by state minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed Islam, the meeting was attended by senior government officials, It...