KATHMANDU: The Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal and India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have begun their 10th bilateral coordination meeting to strengthen border security and management, control cross-border crimes, and enhance cooperation between the two countries’ border security agencies.
APF Nepal spokesperson Netra Bahadur Karki said the two-day meeting will review ongoing joint efforts to improve border security, curb illegal activities in border areas, combat human trafficking and drug smuggling, prevent the smuggling of illegal weapons and other goods, and maintain peace and order along the border.
The meeting will also discuss implementing recommendations from the border management mechanism on removing encroachments in no-man’s-land, protecting and maintaining border pillars, and constructing new ones. Participants will explore ways to strengthen regular coordination meetings and facilitate the timely exchange of information to mitigate risks associated with pandemics and disasters affecting both sides of the border, Karki said.
The two sides will also discuss activities to strengthen ties between the agencies and foster relations with communities living in border areas, including friendly sports competitions and other joint initiatives.
Other agenda items include enhancing the capacity and institutional cooperation of the two organisations, strictly regulating the illegal movement of third-country nationals across the open Nepal-India border, and adopting appropriate technologies to make border management more efficient and modern.
The meeting will also focus on improving joint disaster preparedness and response and establishing additional help desks at border crossings to facilitate travellers.
Karki said the discussions would also emphasise maintaining regular contact, building mutual trust, improving information exchange and strengthening institutional coordination to identify and resolve border-related problems and challenges promptly.
The meeting is expected to further strengthen the traditional friendship between Nepal and India and enhance cooperation between their security agencies to maintain peace, security and harmony in border areas.
Representatives from the border security agencies and other relevant institutions of both countries are participating in the meeting.
The Nepali delegation is led by APF Inspector General Narayan Datta Paudel and includes representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal Police, APF Nepal, National Investigation Department and Department of Survey.
The Indian delegation is led by SSB Director General Sanjay Singhal, with participation from representatives of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and senior SSB officials.
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