KATHMANDU: The Nepal Institute of International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) hosted the Nepal-India Think Tank Forum on Regional Resilience: Strengthening Nepal-India Security Cooperation, bringing together senior experts from leading think tanks in both India and Nepal.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd.), Director General of the United Service Institution of India, the oldest Indian military think tank, praised Nepalese contributions, saying, “Nepalese courage and valour have been at the forefront of Indian military strength and national security.”
He also highlighted the Agniveer scheme, noting, “The scheme is open to Nepali citizens on par with Indians, akin to the pre-1970s non-pensionable colour service. It offers an opportunity to invest in human capital, with disciplined, motivated, and empowered youth who strengthen and enrich society.”
Ambassador Pankaj Saran, Former National Security Advisor of India and Convenor at NatStrat, expressed his admiration for interactions with Nepali youth, stressing that youth from both countries should engage to shape the future of Nepal-India relations.
Alok Bansal, Executive Vice President of India Foundation, emphasized that India faces significant challenges from cross-border terrorism, which also impacts Nepal.
Professor Sangeeta Thapliyal of Jawaharlal Nehru University highlighted the role of think tanks and academic centers in strengthening India–Nepal relations, calling for enhanced collaboration and government support for research initiatives in both countries.
Dr. Gaurav Saini, co-founder of the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, noted that the India–Nepal border is unique due to deep trade, cultural, and people-to-people ties, but its porous nature creates shared security challenges. He cited human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and counterfeit currency as transnational threats, referencing a January 2026 seizure of counterfeit Nepali currency by Bihar Police.
Maj. Gen. Binoj Basnyat (Retd.), Political and Security Analyst, reflected on recent Gen Z demonstrations in Nepal, calling them unsurprising but noting their unexpected timing. He warned that elections alone may not ensure strategic stability, describing the post-election period as a “strategic pause rather than a strategic solution” and advocating for generational renewal, institutional reform, and inclusive dialogue.
Anurag Acharya, Director of PEI, highlighted three key avenues—physical connectivity, trade, and digital connectivity—that have strengthened bilateral ties. He also pointed to emerging areas such as tech integration, religious and cultural tourism, and sports, which could further boost business and economic collaboration.
Bibek Dhoj Thapa, Program Coordinator at NIICE, emphasized that India–Nepal relations should focus on partnership with the rising youth population. He advocated viewing India not as a post-colonial power but as a strategic partner and suggested initiatives such as India–Nepal Youth Climate Fellowships and expanded soft power engagement to address shared challenges like water resource management, climate change, and security.
Sumitra Karki, Director of NIICE, stressed the importance of academic and policy engagement in strengthening bilateral relations. She called on the Government of India to encourage Nepal studies in India and for the Government of Nepal to promote India studies at home, noting that knowledge exchange and institutional support can deepen mutual understanding between the two nations.
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