Kathmandu— Security officials from four districts of Nepal’s Madhes Province and corresponding districts in India convened a meeting on Saturday in Jaleshwar to discuss strategies for curbing border crimes. The two sides agreed to increase joint patrols and improve the regular exchange of information related to issues such as arms and drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the maintenance of border posts. The coordination meeting aimed to strengthen mutual cooperation between the neighboring countries in addressing shared security concerns.

Joint Patrols Expanded

Officials decided to broaden the scope of joint border patrols along the Nepal-India frontier. Sanjay Kumar Pokharel, an assistant chief district officer of Mahottari, emphasized the importance of mutual coordination and cooperation between the two countries’ security forces. This increased collaboration is intended to more effectively address criminal activities that span the international boundary.

Key Concerns Addressed

The meeting focused on a range of cross-border crimes plaguing the region, including arms and drug trafficking, as well as human trafficking. Participants also discussed ensuring the safety and proper maintenance of border posts along the shared frontier. The discussion highlighted a commitment from both sides to tackle these issues proactively.

The agreement represents a continued effort by Nepal and India to enhance security cooperation and address transnational crime in the region.

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.