Kathmandu [Nepal], Oct 28 – Nepal and India have begun their 10th bilateral coordination meeting on border security in Kathmandu, with discussions focusing on border management, cross-border crime and the regulation of illegal movement of third-country nationals.
The meeting between Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF) and India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will continue until October 30.
The two sides will discuss ways to improve the management of the open border, control illegal activities in border areas and strengthen information sharing and cooperation between their security agencies.
Nepal’s delegation is being led by APF Inspector General Narayan Datta Poudel, while the Indian delegation is headed by SSB Director General Sanjay Singhal.
The Nepali delegation includes representatives from the Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Nepal Police, APF, National Investigation Department and Department of Survey. The Indian delegation includes senior officials from the country’s home and foreign ministries, the Indian Embassy in Nepal and the SSB.
The agenda includes reviewing efforts to combat human trafficking, drug smuggling, the illegal trade in firearms and other contraband, as well as maintaining peace and order in border areas.
Both sides will also discuss removing encroachments along the no-man’s land, protecting, maintaining and constructing border pillars, and preventing cross-border criminal activities.
The meeting will address coordination and rapid information sharing to reduce the risks of cross-border disease outbreaks and disasters. Other topics include regulating the illegal movement of third-country nationals through the open Nepal-India border, adopting modern technology for border management and strengthening the capacity of both security forces.
The two sides are also expected to discuss setting up additional assistance desks to facilitate travellers at border crossings and expanding joint cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.
According to the APF, the agenda also includes organising friendly sports and other activities to strengthen relations with border communities and build mutual trust between the two security forces.
APF spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General Netra Bahadur Karki said the meeting is expected to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ border security agencies and help maintain peace, security and harmony in border areas, further reinforcing the traditional friendship between Nepal and India.
