Nepal, India to discuss cross-border security concerns tomorrow

Senior home ministry officials from Nepal and India are set to convene in Dehradun for a two-day meeting focused on border management and bilateral security concerns. The talks come amid heightened attention to the security of the two countries' long, porous border.

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The discussions are expected to cover issues such as religious fundamentalism, the activities of third-country nationals who could potentially be involved in instigating unrest, and monitoring their movements.

The 14th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Working Group on Border Management follows recent unrest in Nepal’s Tarai-Madhesh region, which borders India. While Nepal's security agencies have found no direct evidence linking the unrest to individuals or groups in India, border security will be a prominent topic. Discussions are expected to cover religious fundamentalism, the activities of third-country nationals potentially involved in instigating unrest, and monitoring their movements.

Anand Kafle, joint secretary at Nepal's home ministry, will lead the Nepali delegation. The agenda includes tackling cross-border criminal activities, the entry and movement of foreign nationals, smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal arms trade. Both sides will also discuss the circulation of counterfeit currency, information sharing, border regulations, and the removal of encroachments in no-man's land.

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Since 2010, we have discussed religious fundamentalism, the role of third-country nationals in instigating unrest, illegal border crossings and information sharing on related matters in every meeting. We expect similar discussions this time too.

Nepal is also seeking India's assistance in capacity building for its security institutions and recognition of its national identity card as a valid travel document. The officials will review past decisions made by lower-level security mechanisms and are expected to revisit discussions on religious fundamentalism and the role of third-country nationals, issues that have been consistently raised in previous meetings. However, Nepal has stated it lacks concrete evidence to present to India regarding specific groups involved in instigating recent unrest.

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But we are not in a position to provide any concrete evidence to the Indian side that any group or individual was involved in instigating the unrest in the Tarai-Madhesh.