Nepal-India Home Secretary talks to discuss security issues

Kathmandu: India will press Nepal to address its security concerns emanating from this country and effective management of their open border at the home secretary-level talks starting here on Saturday.

A 13-member delegation led by Home Secretary RK Singh and Nepalese delegation led by Home Secretary Navin Kumar Ghimire will hold talks during the three-day meeting, according to Indian Embassy sources. While India is committed to capacity building of Nepalese security forces it would would also request the Nepalese side to address India`s security concerns as the two countries share an open border, says a press release by Indian Embassy today. "Indian side has always been ready to extend assistance to Nepalese security agencies and will continue to do so based on requirements projected by Nepal government," the Embassy said. India has previously expressed concern over the emergence of new routes for infiltration into the country via Nepal. The last Home Secretary level talks between Nepal and India were held in New Delhi in January 2012. During these talks both the countries had agreed to expand cooperation in combating terrorism, arms smuggling, insurgency, smuggling of fake currency, human trafficking and trafficking in narcotics and psychotropic substances. For effective coordination at ground level between the two border security forces it was also agreed to hold annual meetings of Directors General, Sashastra Seema Bal and Inspector General, Armed Police Force of Nepal. The first such meeting was held in New Delhi in December 2012. Other important agreements reached between the two governments include continuing training of Nepal Police personnel in India and early finalisation of Memorandum of Understanding for construction of Nepal Police Academy. PTI