Kathmandu: Nepal and India agreed to strengthen border security, promote technology-friendly border management and enhance bilateral cooperation at the conclusion of the 10th coordination meeting of their armed forces on Friday.
The meeting, led by Inspector General of Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF), Narayan Dutta Paudel, and Director General of India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Sanjaya Singhal, kicked off at the Armed Police Force headquarters in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Reviewing the progress in implementing the decisions adopted at the ninth meeting, the two sides reaffirmed joint commitment to control illegal activities in the border areas and cross-border crime through enhanced cooperation.
The two sides also expressed their commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation to counter challenges to bilateral security and social order arising from the misuse of social media and the spread of misleading information, according to a statement issued by APF Nepal.
The meeting decided to continue joint efforts to halt illegal farming, encroachment and construction of illegal structures in the border area, aimed at effective management of the no-man’s-land.
Both sides agreed to promote field-level coordination for continuous maintenance, preservation and reconstruction of border pillars, as per the decisions made by the Boundary Working Group and Survey Officials Committee.
Noting the effectiveness of timely exchange of information in controlling cross-border criminal networks, illegal smuggling, human trafficking, flow of fake currency, narcotic drugs and preventing unauthorised movement of third-country nationals, they expressed commitment to continue such collaborations, the statement said.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen document verification procedures to prevent the illegal movement of third-country nationals in the border area, conduct coordinated patrols in the no-man’s-land, and ensure the prompt exchange of information on the movements of suspicious individuals.
They also discussed ways to transform traditional border security mechanisms into modern, technology-friendly smart border management. Proposed measures included installing CCTV cameras for vigilance in no-man’s-land, deploying luggage scanners and walk-through metal detectors at major border entry points and expanding the use of drones.
During the meeting, participants also agreed to expand help desk services at border points to facilitate genuine travellers, organise friendly sports tournaments and hold joint cultural programmes on the occasion of major festivals and various international events.
The next joint coordination meeting, which has been continuously organised since 2012, will take place in India next year.
