Kathmandu:The border security leaderships of Nepal and India have reached an agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation aimed at controlling illegal activities and cross-border crimes between the two nations.
According to National News Agency RSS, during the ’10th Nepal-India Coordination Meeting,’ attended by the chiefs of the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal and India’s Armed Border Force, both sides reviewed the progress of previous decisions and agreed to strengthen cooperation at strategic, operational, and field levels.
The meeting focused on continuing joint efforts to effectively manage the ‘no-man’s-land’ (Dashgaja) area by eliminating unauthorized cultivation, encroachments, and illegal structures. As per the decisions of the ‘Boundary Working Group’ and the ‘Survey Officials Committee,’ security forces from both countries have agreed to enhance coordination for the ongoing maintenance, repair, and reconstruction of border pillars.
Both countries committed to the timely exchange of information on cross-border criminal networks, illegal trafficking, human trafficking, counterfeit currency, and the unauthorized movement of citizens from third countries. To address these issues, security agencies plan to intensify checks and document verification at border points, conduct coordinated patrols, and promptly share information on suspicious individuals.
Discussions also included the adoption of modern technology and specialized training to address growing border security challenges. The strengthening of institutional ties through regular exchange visits was emphasized, along with the potential installation of CCTV cameras, luggage scanners, and walk-through metal detectors at major checkpoints.
Joint water rescue exercises, the establishment of help desks at checkpoints, and increasing bilateral trust through friendly sports matches and cultural programs were also part of the agenda. The two-day meeting in Kathmandu was led by Inspector General of the Armed Police Force, Narayan Datta Paudel, for Nepal, and Director General of the Armed Border Force (SSB), Sanjay Singhal, for India. The coordination meetings, held alternately since 2012, will next occur in India.