India, Nepal agree to prevent misuse of their territories by 'anti-nationals'

Kathmandu, Sep 30 (PTI) India and Nepal have agreed to prevent the misuse of their respective territories by "anti-nationals" as their top paramilitary officials discussed the mechanism to prevent illegal border crossing of third nation citizens through the Indo-Nepal border.

The joint Coordination meeting between Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Director General Sujoy Lal Thaosen and Nepal's Armed Police Force (APF) Inspector General Raju Arya, which concluded here on Thursday, discussed measures for streamlining the mechanism to curb trans-border crimes, timely exchange of information and enhance security across the Indo-Nepal border.

Heads of both the forces agreed to develop the mechanism to prevent illegal border crossing of third nation citizens through the border, the SSB said in a statement.

It was also decided that border forces will continue to reform methods used in view of present day challenges. "They mutually agreed to prevent misuse of their respective territories by anti-nationals," the statement said.

The Indian side requested Nepal to stop the entry of Pakistani and Chinese nationals into India through the border points, after engaging in illegal activities in the border areas, MyRepublica quoted a senior official who attended the meeting as saying.

The SSB delegation led by DG Thaosen also called on Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand and reiterated the commitment of the SSB to work for strengthening the friendship and cooperation between two border forces of India and Nepal.

The security issues were also discussed for upcoming federal and provincial elections in Nepal.

The Director General, SSB and Inspector General, APF are holding Coordination meeting every year since 2012, alternatively in India and Nepal.

Earlier, the 5th Annual Co-ordination meeting between DG, SSB (India) and IG, APF (Nepal) was held in October last year at New Delhi. The 7th Coordination meeting will be held in India next year.

Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. PTI PMS AKJ PMS PMS