India, Nepal to cooperate in checking cross border crimes

New Delhi, Sep 27 (UNI) India and Nepal have decided to cooperate to combat trans-border crimes including human trafficking, trafficking in narcotics and psychotropic substances, circulation of fake currencies, fundamentalism and terrorist activities.

The decision in this regard was taken at the Home Secretary level talks between the two countries, which concluded in Kathmandu yesterday.

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta led the Indian delegation while the other side was headed by Nepalese Home Secretary Umesh Prasad Mainali.

It was decided that the border guarding forces of the two countries- Sashatra Seema Bal of India and Armed Police Force of Nepal will nominate nodal officers to share information about movement of criminals across the borders.

A meeting will be held soon between officers of the two organisations to finalise the details in this regard.

It was also decided that senior civil and police officials from the border districts of the two countries will frequently exchange information about criminal activities and any other relevant matters including the measures that may be required in the context of the forthcoming constituent assembly elections in Nepal.

A formal mechanism in shape of the Border District Co-ordination Committees already exists between the two countries.

Mr Gupta conveyed India's concern about use of Nepal's territory by elements inimical to India for activities relating to terrorism and smuggling of fake Indian currency.

Nepal assured full assistance and cooperation in this regard. It was also agreed to develop mechanism for sharing real-time information on matters of security concerns.

Both the sides noted that meetings of Border District Coordination Committees have been useful and effective for addressing local issues and information sharing.

The two sides agreed that such meetings should held more frequently in future.

They also reviewed progress in implementing the decisions taken at the previous meetings between the Home Secretaries of the two countries and expressed their satisfaction over the results achieved so far.

Besides, they appreciated outcome of the meeting of the Joint Working Group on Border Management held in New Delhi on July 12-13, 2007.

The meeting was held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. The next meeting will be held in New Delhi.

The Indian Home Secretary also called on Nepalese Home Minister K P Sitaula.

UNI