Nepal and India agree to expand tech-based border security

Nepal and India have agreed to increase the use of modern technology in border security and strengthen cooperation to control cross-border crime.

The 10th coordination meeting between the two countries, held in Kathmandu, was led by Armed Police Force Inspector General Narayan Dutta Paudel from the Nepali side and Sashastra Seema Bal Director General Sanjay Singhal from the Indian side.

Representatives from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, the Survey Department, Nepal Police and the National Investigation Department also took part from Nepal. Representatives from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs attended from the Indian side.

The meeting reviewed implementation of decisions from the ninth meeting. It decided to continue the joint effort to remove encroachment, unauthorized cultivation and illegal structures from the no-man's land.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate on the repair, maintenance and reconstruction of border pillars, and to increase information exchange and joint patrols to curb smuggling, human trafficking and unauthorized movement.

A decision was also made to expand modern border surveillance using CCTV, scanners and drones. Both sides agreed on a proposal to conduct joint exercises for natural disaster management.