The eighth annual Nepal-India Border Security Coordination Meeting began in Kathmandu on Saturday, bringing together senior security officials from both countries to address pressing cross-border issues, including the movement of third-country nationals. The discussions are led by Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF) Inspector General Raju Aryal and India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Director General Amrit Mohan Prasad.

Key topics on the agenda included the movement of individuals from nations such as China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar across the open Nepal-India border. Indian representatives expressed concerns about the transit of Chinese and Pakistani nationals, while Nepal raised issues regarding the arrival of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals. The focus was the wake of political unrest in Bangladesh.

‘They (Indian officials) indicated the movement of Chinese and Pakistani nationals from our border, and we also expressed concerns about the Rohingya refugees as well as Bangladeshi nationals who started coming to Nepal after the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh,’ said a senior Nepali security official attending the meeting.

Rishi Ram Tiwari, spokesperson for Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighted the comprehensive nature of the discussions. “We discussed a slew of issues related to boundary, border, human trafficking, checking cross-border criminal activities, and coordination between the two agencies in border areas,” he told ‘The Kathmandu Post’.

The meeting will continue through Monday, focusing on bolstering bilateral cooperation and addressing long-standing security issues. Both nations aim to improve coordination to prevent cross-border offenses and enhance border integrity, ensuring peace and safety in the region. The proceedings underscore the commitment of Nepal and India to addressing mutual challenges through dialogue and partnership, as noted by reports from ‘The Kathmandu Post’ and ANI.
 

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