Indo-Nepal border district officials meet to enhance cooperation

Indo-Nepal border district officials meet to enhance cooperation

B.D.Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, Aug 31

District administrations of India and Nepal along this section of the Indo-Nepal border held a coordination meeting at the Pithoragarh district headquarters on Monday and agreed to strengthen cooperation on border security, intelligence sharing, crime prevention and disaster management.

The meeting also decided to improve coordination between the security agencies of the two countries and ensure the exchange of information related to border security and criminal activities, Pithoragarh District Magistrate Ashish Bhatgai said.

“The coordination committee of the bordering districts of both countries agreed to extend cooperation in maintaining security along the border, preventing crimes and assisting each other in dealing with disaster incidents occurring in the bordering districts on either side,” Bhatgai said.

The two sides also discussed the maintenance of bridges located along the border and agreed to coordinate efforts for their upkeep.

Besides Pithoragarh District Magistrate Ashish Bhatgai, the meeting was attended by the Chief District Officers of Nepal’s bordering districts of Baitadi and Darchula, Meena Aryal and Bharat Raj Poudel respectively.

The Chief District Officer in Nepal performs a role broadly equivalent to that of a District Magistrate in the Indian administrative system.

Officials of both countries also agreed to intensify efforts to check the smuggling of narcotics and restricted goods across the border and strengthen surveillance at border check posts.

“The administrations of both countries will work in close coordination to curb cross-border smuggling and other illegal activities,” Bhatgai said.