KATHMANDU: The 10th bilateral coordination meeting between the Armed Police Force of Nepal and India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has commenced. The meeting aims to enhance coordination and cooperation between the border security agencies of the two nations, focusing on border management and the control of cross-border crimes.

The Nepali delegation is led by Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Raju Aryal, while the Indian delegation is headed by SSB Director General Sanjay Singhal. Representatives from Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department, and the Department of Survey are participating. The Indian side includes officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, and senior SSB officers.

According to Armed Police Force spokesperson Netra Bahadur Karki, the two-day meeting will address effective border security management, the control of illegal activities, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. Discussions will also cover the removal of encroachments in the no-man’s-land, maintenance of border pillars, and the maintenance of peace and order in border regions.

The agenda includes establishing effective information exchange mechanisms to mitigate the risk of cross-border pandemics and disasters. Both sides will deliberate on strengthening relations with border communities and fostering institutional cooperation. Furthermore, the meeting will address the regulation of illegal movement of third-country nationals using the open border and the integration of modern technology to improve border management. The officials also plan to discuss enhancing disaster preparedness and establishing additional assistance desks at border crossings to facilitate travelers. The talks emphasize maintaining regular contact and institutional coordination to identify and resolve border challenges promptly.