India-Nepal security talks begin

Senior officials of Nepal and India Tuesday began a two-day meeting in the western Nepali scenic city of Pokhara to discuss border and bilateral security-related issues.

The joint secretary-level meeting of the home ministries of both sides will discuss border security, border management, cross-border security matters, and the issue of fake Indian currencies notes, among others, a Nepali official said.

The meeting will also discuss strengthening border management, including a number of issues related to smuggling of narcotics, arms and illegal crossings and strengthening of border outposts and others, said Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, joint secretary in the home ministry and leader of the Nepali side.

Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, joint secretary in the Indian home ministry, is leading the 15-member Indian delegation. Both sides comprise senior security officials, including those deployed in the respective bordering areas.

The meeting is expected to come up with proposed measures to curb anti-social elements along the porous border. The meeting is also expected to pave the way for a home secretary-level meeting in the near future.

The open border between Nepal and India has been a source of tension for both sides due to unchecked movement of unscrupulous elements, and trafficking of women, narcotics and drugs.

The meeting will also dwell on boundary management and inundation and will assess the past achievements and progress made on the cross-border security front, said the Nepali side.

The meeting comes close on the heels of Nepal and India agreeing to start joint boundary work from Feb 23.