India, Nepal to step up security cooperation

Kathmandu, Apr 30: India and

have agreed to step up cooperation between their security forces by undertaking joint training exercises.

India also agreed to favourably consider Nepal's request to provide instructors and teachers for advanced courses including basic science courses and for attachment of Nepalese trainees and trainers at its various institutions, said an Indian Embassy statement today.

The statement was issued a day after the ninth Nepal-India Bilateral Consultative Group on security issues that concluded at Pokhara in western Nepal.

Besides the joint exercises, both the nations also agreed to organise joint sports and adventure activities.

"India reiterated its commitment to continue its support for the upgradation and modernization of Nepalese security forces by making available the required technical and physical support in accordance with the needs and priorities listed by Government of Nepal," the statement said.

During the talks, Nepal has also offered to provide training to Indian Army personnel, who are up for deployment in UN peacekeeping missions in different countries.

This is for the first time that Nepal has offered training slots to the Indian Army, officials in the Foreign Ministry said here. India is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping efforts.

Deepak Dhital, Joint-secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal, and Akhilesh Mishra, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, India, led the discussions during the three day meeting.

The Indian delegation has observed exercises mounted by Nepal Army's High Altitude and Mountain Warfare School in Jomsom, Mustang, 400 km north-east of Kathmandu.

The next meeting of the Nepal-India Bilateral Consultative Group would be held in February 2013 in India.

PTI