KATHMANDU, Jan 22: Nepal-India home secretary-level talks is scheduled to be held in New Delhi in the second week of March.
The meeting will formalize agreements reached between the two countries during the joint secretary level talks held in New Delhi from January 15-17. Joint Secretary at the home ministry Shankar Koirala had led the Nepali delegation. [break]
According to Koirala, who is also the home ministry spokesperson, the two sides have agreed to remove encroachments on the no-man´s land on either side of the Indo-Nepal border. “We have reached an agreement to clear the no man´s land. The agreement will be implemented soon,” he said.
The joint secretary-level meeting had discussed various cross-border crimes including women trafficking, drug trafficking, smuggling of fake Indian currency and measures to contain those crimes. The meeting also discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the security agencies as well as the local administration of both the countries.
According to a participant of the meeting, the Indian side had expressed concerns over the growing number of Madarasas along Indo-Nepal border in the meeting. The Nepali side had assured India that they would not pose threats to India´s security.
On the occasion, the two sides had also discussed the “fragile” immigration system at the Tribhuvan International Airport and the possibility of inimical countries taking an advantage. “We have assured the Indian side that Nepal will take necessary measures to upgrade the immigration system”" said the participant.
According to Koirala, the Indian side has offered capacity enhancement trainings to Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) personnel deputed to prisons and immigration. The Indian side will provide training as per the “package” proposed by the Nepali side. India has also agreed to take Chief District Officers (CDOs) to India on observation tours.
While acknowledging that the meetings of Border District Coordination Committee had proved successful in curbing crimes along the border, the joint secretary-level meeting also decided to increase the frequency of such meetings in the coming days.
The Nepali side appreciated India for taking necessary initiatives to check repeated instances of manhandling and mistreatment of Nepali nationals by Indian Seema Surakhchya Bal personnel deputed along the border.
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