Kathmandu [Nepal], August 19 – Nepal and India are set to discuss border management and bilateral security concerns at the 14th meeting of their Joint Working Group on Border Management in Dehradun on Thursday and Friday.
The two-day meeting comes amid growing security concerns along the countries’ open border and recent unrest and communal violence in Nepal’s southern Tarai-Madhesh region.
Although Nepal’s security agencies have found no credible evidence of direct or indirect links between the recent incidents in districts including Siraha and Sunsari and individuals or groups operating from India cross-border security issues are expected to remain a priority a senior Home Ministry official said.
The agenda includes cross-border criminal activities, the entry and movement of third-country nationals, smuggling, drug trafficking from India into Nepal and illegal trade in arms and ammunition.
The two sides will also discuss religious extremism, monitoring activities of third-country nationals who could potentially be involved in triggering unrest, counterfeit currency, information sharing between security agencies and border regulation.
Other issues include removing encroachments in the no-man’s land area, unauthorized trade, Indian assistance to Nepal’s security agencies and capacity-building support.
Nepal has also requested India to recognize its national identity card as a valid travel document.
The meeting will review progress since the 13th meeting held in Pokhara last year, including decisions taken by local security mechanisms and border district coordination committees.
